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Ann Rheum Dis 2002;61:718-722 doi:10.1136/ard.61.8.718
  • Extended report

Standardised nomenclature for glucocorticoid dosages and glucocorticoid treatment regimens: current questions and tentative answers in rheumatology

  1. F Buttgereit1,
  2. J A P Da Silva2,
  3. M Boers3,
  4. G-R Burmester1,
  5. M Cutolo4,
  6. J Jacobs5,
  7. J Kirwan6,
  8. L Köhler7,
  9. P van Riel8,
  10. T Vischer9,
  11. J W J Bijlsma5
  1. 1Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Hospital, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
  2. 2Department of Rheumatology, Coimbra University, Portugal
  3. 3Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  4. 4Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
  5. 5Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
  6. 6Rheumatology Unit, Division of Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
  7. 7Division of Rheumatology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  8. 8Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  9. 9Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr F Buttgereit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Hospital, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
    frank.buttgereit{at}charite.de
  • Accepted 25 February 2002

Abstract

In rheumatology and other medical specialties there is a discrepancy between the widespread use and the imprecise designation of glucocorticoid treatment regimens. Verbal descriptions of glucocorticoid treatment regimens used in various phases of diseases vary between countries and institutions. Given this background, a workshop under the auspices of the EULAR Standing Committee on International Clinical Studies including Therapeutic Trials was held to discuss this issue and to seek a consensus on nomenclature for glucocorticoid treatment. This report summarises the panel's discussion and recognises that answers derived from consensus conferences are not definitive. Nevertheless, recommendations on glucocorticoid treatment are presented that (1) reflect current and best knowledge available and (2) take into account current clinical practice. A question-answer rationale presentation style has been chosen to convey the messages, to summarise the meeting in a readable format, and to avoid dogmatism.

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