Partner

of your
rheumatologist visit

We partnered with Global Healthy Living Foundation* to ask more than 2,000 rheumatology patients about their conversations and connection with their rheumatologists.

The findings revealed that discussing treatment goals and potential treatment changes with their rheumatologists can feel overwhelming.

So, we’ve put together a few resources—helpful key phrases, guidance on understanding test results, advice from a rheumatologist, and more—to help you make the most of your next rheumatologist visit.

*The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire, support, and empower people living with chronic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. GHLF is the parent of the 25-year-old online patient community CreakyJoints.

*The Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire, support, and empower people living with chronic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. GHLF is the parent of the 25-year-old online patient community CreakyJoints.

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Know what to say at your next appointment

We talked with rheumatologists to learn what they listen for during appointments. Here are some examples of key phrases that help them know how your current treatment is working and if it may be time for a switch.

KEY PHRASES WHAT IT SIGNALS
“I’m still having issues with everyday things like getting dressed, tying my shoes, cleaning around the house, and opening jars when cooking.” Difficulty in everyday tasks can help your doctor recognize you’re not feeling the relief you should be.
“I’m experiencing daily pain and it feels like my RA symptoms are worsening.” Early detection of any worsening, new, or daily symptoms can help your doctor make timely adjustments in treatment, preventing further complications.
“I don’t think my current RA medication is working like it used to.” Sometimes, medications may lose effectiveness over time. This can happen when your body becomes used to the medication or if your condition progresses.
“I have to take over-the-counter pain meds just to get through the day.” Relying often on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines might mean your RA symptoms aren’t fully under control. While these medications can help manage occasional discomfort, frequent use suggests that your current treatment might need adjusting.
“I've noticed more of my joints hurting since my last visit.” RA pain that spreads to more joints or new areas of the body may indicate your disease is not under control. This could lead to permanent joint damage if left untreated.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tests and what they mean

Your test results help you and your doctor make informed treatment decisions together. Here are some tests that can help monitor your RA and show how your treatment is working for you.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Complete blood count (CBC)

Advanced Biomarker Tests

X-ray

Ultrasound

MRI    

Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI)

Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)

While labs and tests play an important role in your doctor’s assessment, they only tell part of your story. So, make sure you express how you’re feeling–especially if you’re not experiencing the relief you’re looking for.

Dr. Manish Jain's tips on how to be heard

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    Helpful Terms to Know

    Here are some words and phrases you may hear from your doctor that may be important to know going into your next appointment.

    Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker

    TNF blockers are medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by targeting and blocking a substance called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is a protein in the body that promotes inflammation. By blocking TNF, these medications help reduce inflammation, decrease joint pain and swelling, and prevent further joint damage in people with RA.

    Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor

    JAK inhibitors are medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by reducing inflammation. They work by blocking Janus kinases (JAKs), which are enzymes that help send signals inside cells, leading to inflammation. By preventing these signals, JAK inhibitors help decrease joint pain, swelling, and damage associated with RA.

    Biosimilars

    A biosimilar is a type of biological medicine that is very similar to an already approved brand-name biologic, known as the reference product. Biosimilars are designed to have the same efficacy, safety, and quality as the reference product, but they might have minor differences in clinically inactive components. They are often more cost-effective alternatives to their reference biologics.

    Inadequate or partial response

    When a medication isn’t fully relieving RA symptoms, often a reason to discuss a treatment switch.

    Loss of response

    When a treatment that once worked no longer provides relief.

    MOA (mechanism of action)

    A drug's mechanism of action is how it works in the body. It targets specific molecules, like proteins, and either activates or inhibits them. This interaction leads to changes in cellular functions, which help alleviate symptoms and treat the condition.

    Remission

    This typically means that the symptoms of the disease are reduced to the point that they are no longer detectable or are at a very low level. The patient may not experience any signs of active disease, reflecting effective disease control. It's often a goal in treatment plans.

    Low disease activity (LDA)

    This indicates that the disease is still present but is being managed to a degree that symptoms are minimal and manageable. LDA is a step between active disease and full remission, where the patient has noticeable but low levels of disease activity.

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