Effectiveness of DMARDs in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis in older adults in Australia

Running head:RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

1RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive anti-inflammatory autoimmune disease and occurs
mostly in older adults. The inflammation of the joint causes swelling and pain. According to the
data of World Health Organization, more than 13 million people only in America is suffering
from this disorder and due to its autoimmune nature, it is not possible to invent one intervention
that can improve the health of affected patient
1. Problem: according of the Australian ministry of Health and Welfare , more than 9% of
total Australian population is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and within that
maximum (10.2%) are aged person (from 50 to 75). It was further responsible for 6410
deaths in Australia in the year 2014.
2. Solution: one approach to deal with rheumatoid arthritis is to Use DMARDs drugs over
NSAIDs drugs in the treatment of RA.
3. Aim: this study aims to compare the effectiveness of DMARDsas a complete
intervention to treat RA in aged people in Australia.
PICO question
Define your PICO
Population Older people in Australia
Intervention Use of DMARDs drugs in the treatment of RA.
Comparison/Control Patients having RA, taking DMARD medicine such as
Methotrexate and those who are not being treated with the drug

2RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Outcome Improvement in pain and swelling and less usage of other
interventions .
Write your research question below in the PICO format
In rheumatoid arthritis situation, Are DMARDs compared toNSAIDs are useful in improving
the condition in aged peoplewith less or no side effects?
P: older adults of Australia
I: DMARDS (eg:Methotrexate)
C:NSAIDs (eg:Ibuprofen)
O: improved rheumatoid arthritis
Search Strategy
2 main databases, PubMed and CINAHL were brainstormed through for searching the
relevant journal articles. PubMed was searched using the MESH terms- Methotrexate,
Rheumatoid arthritis/ old aged women, Rheumatoid arthritis/ DMARDs. The other Key words
used were Rheumatoid arthritis in women, NSAIDs in RA, harmful effects of NSAIDs,
DMARDs. The limiters used were full text peer reviewed journals within the years 2012-2018.
Best Practice
Best Practice Level of Evidence and Type
of Study
Citation in CDUAPA 6th
format
Solomon, D. H., Ayanian, J. Z.,
Yelin, E., Shaykevich, T.,
Brookhart, M. A., & Katz, J. N.
(2012). Use of Disease-
Modifying Medications for
Rheumatoid Arthritis by Race
and Ethnicity in the National
Ambulatory Medical Care
Level IV
Case control study
(Solomon et al., 2012)