Steroid sparing therapeutic approaches to polymyalgia rheumatica-giant cell arteritis. State of the art and perspectives

G.F. Ferraccioli, E. Di Poi, R. Damato

Division and Chair of Rheumatology, DPMSC, University of Udine; Italy.

ABSTRACT
The therapeutic approach to polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) remains mainly based on corticosteroids. A few studies in PMR suggest a steroid-sparing effect with methotrexate in a subset of patients. No real alternative to steroids exists in GCA. Given the high chance of long-term treatment with corticosteroids in both diseases, randomized controlled trials with new immunosuppressive steroid-sparing drugs are eagerly awaited.

Key words
Polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, steroids, methotrexate.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Prof. G.F. Ferraccioli, MD, Division and Chair of Rheumatology, DPMSC, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy. 
E-mail: gianfranco.ferraccioli @dpmsc.uniud.it

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000; 18 (Suppl. 20): S58-S60.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.