Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Single Versus Combination Dmard Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis-A Prospective Observational Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and disability if untreated. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs), biologics (bDMARDs), and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs), play a critical role in managing the disease. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety profiles of single DMARD therapy versus combination DMARD therapy, including biologics and corticosteroids, in RA patients. 120 adult patients diagnosed with RA were enrolled and divided into two groups: the Single DMARD Therapy Group (n = 60) and the Combination Therapy Group (n = 60). Clinical outcomes, including Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Both groups showed significant improvements in disease activity and functional outcomes over DAS28, VAS, and HAQ scores over time. However, the Combination Therapy Group had slightly greater improvements in pain and disability.