Anti-rheumatic drug-prescribing behaviour of Australasian rheumatologists 1984-1994

The prescribing behaviour of Australian and New Zealand rheumatologists was studied in 1994 using a questionnaire, and the results compared with a similar questionnaire administered in 1984. Perceived differences in efficacy and toxicity for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and cytotoxics were reported. Over the decade, methotrexate and sulphasalazine have become the most commonly used anti-rheumatic agents, and methotrexate is clearly seen as the most effective drug. Wide variations in monitoring practices for DMARDs were reported, highlighting the need for cost-effectiveness studies on monitoring. There was low usage of functional outcome measurements in assessing patients.