title: Early disease control by low-dose prednisone comedication may affect the quality of remission in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: In order to identify rate and stability of remission induced by low-dose prednisone comedication in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we evaluated patients with early RA (<1 year) who were randomized to receive (P) or not (non-P) low-dose prednisone in association with step-up disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy over 2 years. Prevalence and duration of clinical remission were evaluated in the first and second year. Each treatment group included 105 patients; no significant differences were found at baseline. During the first year, P patients achieved higher rates of clinical remission with a time-averaged odds ratio (OR) of 1.965 (CI 95% 1.214-3.182, P= 0.006). Moreover, they showed a higher probability of sustained remission during the second year (OR 4.480, CI 95% 1.354-14.817, P= 0.014). In conclusion, we found as in early RA low-dose prednisone comedication is associated with higher rate of clinical remission, earlier disease activity control and more stable remission over time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, University of Pavia, IRCCS S. Matteo Foundation, Piazzale Golgi, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todoerti
authors.forename: Carlo Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Scirè
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boffini
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bugatti
authors.forename: Carlomaurizio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caporali
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate