The problem of laboratory monitoring in therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The paper discusses the problem of laboratory monitoring in therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological agents (BAs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Due to the risk of adverse reactions, in particular to that of cardiovascular diseases, hepatotoxicity, hematological disorders, deterioration of renal function, infections, and bleeding caused by the use of DMARDs and BAs, recommendations are needed to have a list of tests for laboratory monitoring during this therapy and the frequency of their implementation in patients with RA.