RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Emerging Issues in Pharmacological Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a National Needs Assessment Survey Identifying Practice Variations for the Development of Canadian Rheumatology Association Clinical Practice Recommendations JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.110208 DO 10.3899/jrheum.110208 A1 Vivian P. Bykerk A1 Orit Schieir A1 Pooneh Akhavan A1 Glen S. Hazlewood A1 Carly K. Cheng A1 Claire Bombardier YR 2011 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2011/08/30/jrheum.110208.abstract AB Objective To describe Canadian clinical practice patterns in the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and identify practice variations. Methods A 44-item pre-guideline needs assessment survey was sent to all members of the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize respondent characteristics and practice patterns. Results Survey respondents (n = 164) reported variations in practice regarding assessment strategies, treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drug monotherapy versus combination therapy, methotrexate dosing and escalation, corticosteroid strategies, and optimal use of biologics. Conclusion Practice variations identified in this pre-guideline needs assessment survey were used to formulate key treatment questions for the development of CRA recommendations.