A LITERATURE REVIEW: PRESCRIBING TRENDS AND ADHERENCE TO STANDARD TREATMENT GUIDELINES IN TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is ranked among 40th leading cause of disability worldwide. Guidelines are designed by converting research and expert opinion into recommendations for everyday practice, but health care providers are often slow to incorporate these guidelines into their daily practices intern cause inadequate treatment of disease. The aim of this study is to summarize research findings from developed and developing countries as well as from Pakistan regarding prescribing trends and adherence to standard treatment guidelines in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 45 studies were reviewed regarding prescribing practices for arthritis. The review concluded that there is need to identify the barriers and gaps to further enhance the effectiveness of current prescribing practices for rheumatoid arthritis in developing countries. Standard treatment guidelines must be designed and implemented for routine prescribing practices by the regulatory authorities. Shortage of rheumatologists and awareness regarding their role among community needs to be addressed especially in developing countries.