Why Remission Should Be the Goal in Rheumatology—And How We Get There
- Dr. Isabelle Amigues
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
When it comes to rheumatology, remission isn’t just a bonus—it’s the gold standard. Both the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and its European counterpart, EULAR, recommend aiming for remission for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, vasculitis, and other inflammatory diseases.
But why is remission so important, and how do we actually get there?
1. Early, Aggressive Treatment Leads to Better Outcomes: The sooner we control inflammation, the deeper and more durable the remission. Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis respond best when treated early and decisively.
2. More Treatment Options Than Ever: Fifteen years ago, remission was rare—biologic therapies were limited. Today, we have a diverse toolbox of medications targeting different pathways, allowing for truly personalized care that can safely get patients to remission.
3. Remission Lets Us Reduce Medications Safely: Once a patient reaches deep remission, we can often taper medications while keeping the disease in check. This means fewer long-term side effects and less immunosuppression.
How We Achieve Remission: My Approach
Step 1: Confirm the Diagnosis: Getting the diagnosis right is crucial. Misdiagnosis is common—sometimes patients are told they have rheumatoid arthritis when it’s actually psoriatic arthritis, or they have overlapping autoimmune conditions. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation for effective care.
Step 2: Identify Associated Conditions: Many patients have more than one condition, like osteoarthritis alongside rheumatoid arthritis, or secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. Recognizing these helps set realistic expectations and tailor treatment.
Step 3: Personalize the Treatment Plan: We look at your treatment history, what’s worked (or not), side effects, the severity of your inflammation, and which organs are involved. Even if you’ve tried multiple therapies, there’s often a path forward by analyzing your response patterns.
Step 4: Address Lifestyle and Mindset: Diet, mindset, and daily habits matter. Anti-inflammatory diets, mindfulness, and supportive routines can boost the effectiveness of medical therapy and improve quality of life.
Step 5: Explore Personal Meaning: I encourage patients to reflect on what their condition has taught them and what life might look like in remission. This process helps address emotional and psychological barriers, making the path to remission more holistic and meaningful.
Supporting Remission with Lifestyle
While medication is key, lifestyle choices make a big difference:
Eat anti-inflammatory foods:Â Turmeric, ginger, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
Limit processed foods:Â Avoid packaged and ultra-processed items.
Support gut health:Â Some find gluten or processed dairy can worsen inflammation.
Choose animal products mindfully:Â Fish can be beneficial; red and processed meats, less so.
The goal isn’t restriction—it’s about creating a nourishing, anti-inflammatory foundation to complement your treatment.
Remission Is Achievable—And It’s Worth It
Remission is not a luxury; it’s the evidence-based goal for anyone with inflammatory arthritis or autoimmune disease. With the right diagnosis, a personalized treatment plan, lifestyle support, and ongoing guidance, it’s absolutely within reach.
At UnabridgedMD, we’re dedicated to helping you reach deep remission in a way that’s safe, personalized, and true to your values. Because remission isn’t just about less medication—it’s about feeling like yourself again and reclaiming the life you love.
If you’re ready to take the next step on your remission journey—whether in person in Denver or Boulder, or through remote coaching—we’re here to help.
Explore our free resources, listen to the latest podcast, or reach out for a personalized consultation. Your journey towards empowered healing starts here.
or call 303-731-4006
Are you in need of a compassionate rheumatologist who will listen and work with you toward disease remission? If you're searching for the best direct-care rheumatologist in Denver, UnabridgedMD is here for you. Click here to get in touch https://www.unabridgedmd.com or call 303-731-4006
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