Remission is the main goal of treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).¹ Advances in treatment have made remission a possible goal for many people living with the condition.^1,2 RA remission may mean relief from your RA symptoms, as well as improvement in your quality of life and a lower risk of other health conditions.^1,3-5 Read on to learn more about the importance of RA remission and steps for achieving it.

Dr. Grace Wright spoke with myRAteam to explain the importance of achieving remission with RA. Dr. Wright is a rheumatologist who earned her medical and doctoral degrees from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and worked at NYU Langone Health. She founded the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR) in 2014.

The Importance of RA Remission

When you think of remission in RA, you might consider how you feel and function in your daily life, but did you know that RA remission can affect your overall health, including the risk of other diseases? “Remission is crucial in rheumatoid arthritis because it drives many health outcomes,” Dr. Wright said. RA can affect your risk of other health conditions, like osteoporosis, infection, and heart disease.^3,5 Achieving RA remission can help reduce these risks and improve your quality of life.^1,3,4

Here are four steps Dr. Wright highlighted for achieving and maintaining remission with RA.

1. Advocate for Yourself

According to Dr. Wright, if your RA treatment isn’t working — whether you’re still having symptoms, like joint pain, swelling, or fatigue, or your markers of inflammation remain high — then it’s time to talk with your healthcare provider or rheumatologist (a specialist who treats inflammatory conditions like RA). Dr. Wright emphasized the idea of not settling for good enough. Remission is an achievable goal of treating RA.²

If your healthcare provider thinks you look fine, but you don’t feel fine, then speak up, she said. Prepare for your appointments by tracking your RA symptoms — when they occur, how severe they are, and how they affect your daily life.⁶ Bring this information, along with a supportive friend or family member, to make your visits more effective. Several types of treatments can help manage RA and make remission an achievable goal.¹

2. Ask Your Healthcare Provider When You Can Expect To See a Difference

If your healthcare provider suggests a new medication or a change in the dose of your current medication, ask your questions, voice any concerns, and talk about your goals for treatment. Tell your healthcare provider which RA symptom bothers you the most, and ask how treatments work and what side effects they may have so that you know what to expect.⁶

Dr. Wright suggested asking when you can expect to feel a difference in your RA symptoms. She said that some medications may take weeks or months to work. However, if the treatment you are on isn’t working well after about 6 months, it might be time to think about switching treatments in order to get your RA under control.

3. Focus on What You Can Control

While working toward remission with RA, focus on factors you can control, Dr. Wright suggested. These include diet, physical activity, sleep, your mental health, and communicating changes in your RA symptoms to your healthcare provider. Making an effort to get good sleep, manage stress, and exercise regularly can help you feel better overall.⁷

When it comes to RA, there is a lot you can’t control. Treatments may take time to work, and you may need to try different treatments before you find the best one for your RA.⁸ Focusing on what you can control and collaborating regularly with your healthcare provider are important steps in working toward RA remission, Dr. Wright said.

4. Voice Your Medication Preferences and Treatment Goals

Finally, Dr. Wright highlighted the importance of speaking up about your medication preferences and treatment goals when talking with your healthcare provider. You get a say in your treatment plan, and asking your questions, expressing your concerns, and talking about your goals can help open a dialogue with your healthcare provider. Consider yourself a partner with your healthcare provider when determining the right treatment plan for your RA.⁶ Ask them to discuss treatment benefits and risks.⁶

These steps from Dr. Wright can help you on your journey to remission with RA. In closing, she emphasized how managing RA is a partnership between you and your healthcare provider. Getting to remission requires open communication, collaboration, and trust.

ABBV-US-01981-MC V1.0 Approved 3/2025