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Glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis: lessons from the Utrecht study


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CER4949
2011 Vol.29, N°5 ,Suppl.68
PI 0059, PF 0062
Brief Papers

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PMID: 22018185 [PubMed]

Received: 28/07/2011
Accepted : 14/09/2011
In Press: 21/10/2011
Published: 21/10/2011

Abstract

The lessons from the Utrecht study on glucocorticoid therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis and of the spin-off and follow-up studies are reviewed. The data indicate that: glucocorticoids are DMARDs, the joint-sparing effect is predominantly on erosions, glucocorticoids do not influence the percentage of patients developing erosive disease, and the gain in joint-sparing effect persists after the stop of treatment. Further lessons are that the size of the joint-sparing effect and the (presumed) size of the symptomatic effect of glucocorticoids depend on co-therapies. Additional DMARDs must be added to glucocorticoids for maximum effect on radiographic progression. Finally, low-dose glucocorticoids are safer than often thought.

Rheumatology Article