First Latin American position paper on the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that involves synovial joints, resulting in severe dysfunction or burden for individual patients, families and society. Latin American Rheumatology Associations have acknowledged its relevance and recognized multiple limitations for its diagnosis and treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean. This document underscores issues regarding the impact and relevance of this disease in these countries.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a consensus document that may unify and guide the pharmacological management of RA in Latin America and the Caribbean.

METHODS: An Executive Committee appointed by the Epidemiology, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Radiology Committees of Pan-American League of Association for Rheumatology (PANLAR), held a meeting at Lisbon in May 2003. The goal was to establish a task force for the development of a Latin American consensus on the management of RA. Efforts focused on the problems encountered in the region regarding the availability of appropriate treatment for RA and the development of treatment guidelines for clinical practice. A secondary objective was the diffusion of the consensus conclusions and recommendations in participating countries.

RESULTS: Six major issues were identified for discussion by six working groups. All Latin American Rheumatology Associations registered in PANLAR were invited to participate in the consensus. PANLAR members were well-represented in each group. Coordinators identified essential literature to be reviewed, analysed, and electronically discussed before the consensus meeting.

CONCLUSIONS: The consensus' results and recommendations of this effort to delineate RA management in Latin America are contained in this article, which has been reviewed by participant societies and authors during 2004/2005 and endorsed by PANLAR.