Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and are widely use in the management of rheumatoid arthritis in combination with other synthetic and with biological disease- -mo difying anti-rheumatic drugs. Concerns about the risk of adverse effects of glucocorticoids, especially if they are given at higher dosages and for a longer time, hamper their use, despite the clear symptomatic and disease-modifying benefits. However, the evidence base for these concerns for low dose glucocorticoid therapy is quite limited due to the scarcity of quality literature on its safety in rheumatoid arthritis. This review discu sses: 1) the current understanding about its disease-modi fying effects, 2) toxicity data from recent trials and observa tio - nal studies, 3) recommendations for its management and the current efforts to improve the therapeutic ratio of glucocorticoid through the deve lopment of new formulations, such as modified-release prednisone.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 10-22 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa |
| Volume | 2015 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2015 |
Keywords
- Benefits
- Glucocorticoids
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Risks