Rheumatoid arthritis was Previously considered a severe systemic disease leading to inexorable decline. However, the outlook for patients has altered dramatically over the past few years with disease remission now the therapeutic goal. This is dependent on a number of critical interventions and the role of the GP is pivotal in the process. Without early recognition and rapid referral by the GP the ability to achieve the desired outcome of disease remission would be greatly hindered. A recent article in this journal highlighted the benefits of intensive therapy with tight control of disease. [With external links to the evidence base]