New concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of recent-onset polyarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common of all chronic inflammatory joint diseases. Treatment should be initiated early, if possible within the first six months after symptom onset, and should be selected according to the potential for disease progression. Early initiation of combination drug therapy may improve quality of life and long-term outcomes. We used data from a comprehensive literature review to develop a diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for incipient undifferentiated inflammatory joint disease.