Safety of low dose glucocorticoid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: published evidence and prospective trial data.
Adverse effects of glucocorticoids have been abundantly reported. Published reports on low dose glucocorticoid treatment show that few of the commonly held beliefs about their incidence, prevalence, and impact are supported by clear scientific evidence. Safety data from recent randomised controlled clinical trials of low dose glucocorticoid treatment in RA suggest that adverse effects associated with this drug are modest, and often not statistically different from those of placebo.
Da Silva
J A P
JA
Reumatologia, Hospitais da Universidade, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal. jdasilva@ci.uc.pt
Jacobs
J W G
JW
Kirwan
J R
JR
Boers
M
M
Saag
K G
KG
Inês
L B S
LB
de Koning
E J P
EJ
Buttgereit
F
F
Cutolo
M
M
Capell
H
H
Rau
R
R
Bijlsma
J W J
JW
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids