Recently, indisputable evidence that it is really possible to change the long-term outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) only at the debut stage of the disease has been obtained. Therefore, the early stage of RA, which is a major medical and social problem, attracts the greatest attention of researchers around the world. The Treat to target (T2T) strategy currently remains the most relevant approach for previously untreated patients with early RA. Early therapy with methotrexate in combination with glucocorticosteroids serves as the basis for T2T. It is emphasized that, despite the potential advantages in efficacy and tolerability, new treatments for RA may be less safe and much more expensive.

Keywords: early rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate, glucocorticosteroids, rheumatoid arthritis