title: Are glucocorticoids DMARDs?
abstract: Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to control the disease and to limit joint damage and improve long-term outcome. The last decade evidence has accumulated that suggests that low dosages of glucocorticoids are indeed able to control the disease and limit the destruction. This role is especially present in early disease and in combination with other drugs. The evidence is carefully evaluated and discussed. The ultimate conclusion is that indeed glucocorticoids are DMARDs and are especially useful in early RA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Box 85 500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.w.j.bijlsma@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: Johannes W J
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bijlsma
authors.forename: Jos N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hoes
authors.forename: Amalia A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Van Everdingen
authors.forename: Suzan M M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Verstappen
authors.forename: Johannes W G
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids