The natural history of rheumatoid arthritis, previously burdened with high morbidity, has been strongly modified by appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment, and follow-up by a specialist, with the aim to achieve remission or low disease activity, are essential for the functional outcome of patients. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs include "conventional" treatments like methotrexate, biologic therapies such as TNF-inhibitors, abatacept, tocilizumab and rituximab, and targeted synthetic therapies such as tofacitinib (a JAK kinase inhibitor). New treatments currently under study should allow rheumatologists to successfully treat even more patients than nowadays.