Glucocorticoids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Glucocorticoids (GC) are now being used for over 65 years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is by now good evidence for their disease modifying effect, especially in early RA. When used in a dosage of 7.5-10 mg most adverse effects can be quite well handled, though monitoring and awareness for infections are important. The CAMERA II study is discussed, in which patients with early RA were treated with a tight control scheme of climbing dosages of methotrexate plus either 10 mg prednisone daily or placebo. After the two years of the trial, 70 % of the patients treated with tight control strategy without GC had no erosions versus 82% of the patients treated with additional prednisone. Remission was reached more often and earlier on in the strategy with prednisone compared to the strategy with placebo. It may be suggested that GC have a greater beneficial effect on joint structure than can be explained by their anti-inflammatory effects only.