Early recognition and treatment of inflammatory arthritis is imperative for the further course of the disease. Patients with inflammatory arthritis should be referred as early as possible to a rheumatologist for further management. A combination of anamnesis, clinical examination, imaging and laboratory measurements enable a differential diagnosis. If a specific diagnosis is not possible, the disease is called early undifferentiated arthritis. Early effective treatment should be instituted for those at risk of developing persistent and/or erosive arthritis. Treatment includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological options. In the management of early arthritis a combination of regular monitoring and optimal treatment interventions are paramount to achieve remission and improve outcome of the disease (treat-to-target).
Keywords: Conventional radiography; Differential diagnostics; Magnetic resonance imaging; Treat-to-target; Ultrasonography.