Glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis: effects on erosions and bone

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Jun:966:82-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04205.x.

Abstract

Recently, four prospective placebo-controlled studies have further evaluated the disease-modifying properties of glucocorticoids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These studies irrefutably show that the use of (low) doses of glucocorticoids leads to a significant retardation of the progression of erosions, especially in early rheumatoid arthritis. This effect on erosions seems more impressive and probably more persistent than the well-known relief during low-dose glucocorticoid therapy of symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, and joint scores. The management of the (side) effects of glucocorticoids on bone has clearly improved in the last years. These two developments lead to a further optimizing of glucocorticoid treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / pharmacology
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Bone Resorption / chemically induced
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects*
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Cartilage, Articular / drug effects*
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
  • Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Osteoporosis / chemically induced
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control
  • Prospective Studies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Steroids
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Steroids