Rheumatoid arthritis: getting the facts straight about methotrexate

Dr Mona Marabani is a consultant rheumatologist who works in private practice in Sydney. Trained in rheumatology at the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases in Glasgow and at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Mona is currently a visiting senior specialist in medicine and rheumatology at Canterbury Hospital. She is a former President of both the Australian Rheumatology Association and Arthritis Australia, and continues to support Arthritis Australia as a Director Emeritus.

Dr David Liew is a consultant rheumatologist and clinical pharmacology fellow at Austin Health, Melbourne. He is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne and is also one of the hosts of the Australian Prescriber series.

Morton Rawlin is currently in clinical general practice in Melbourne. Previous posts include Chair of RACGP Victoria Faculty, Founding Chair of the RACGP Faculty of Specific Interests, RACGP Board Member, RACGP National Director of Educational Services, and Director of GP Training. Currently Chair of the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaborative and immediate past Chair of the Mental Health Professionals Association, Morton is also board member of the Mental Health Professionals Network and Medical Director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Victoria.

Jarrod McMaugh is the managing partner at Capital Chemist Coburg North. As a community pharmacist and Vice President of the Victorian branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Jarrod has a strong interest in the practice and development of community pharmacy and the delivery of clinical services.

Participation in this activity will help you:

• Describe the importance of an integrated approach in optimising the early initiation and persistence of low-dose methotrexate used for rheumatoid arthritis.
  
• Determine the urgency of any referral based on patient presenting clinical features, key test results, prognostic features and specialist advice if required.
  
• Explain to patients the role of low-dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis and dispel common myths about methotrexate therapy.
  
• Outline how health professionals can agree on a shared care plan to monitor DMARD use and manage patient CVD associated risk and lifestyle factors.
  
• Describe the role of corticosteroids in the management of rheumatoid arthritis including recommended dosage and strategies which limit any drug adverse effects.