title: The role of corticosteroids for pain relief in persistent pain of inflammatory arthritis: a systematic literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic review of the available literature addressing the effectiveness, safety, and role of corticosteroids for pain relief in persistent pain of inflammatory arthritis (IA), as part of the international 3e (Evidence, Expertise, Exchange) Initiative.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature research (SLR) was carried out in Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism meeting abstracts, searching for studies evaluating the use of steroids for the treatment of residual pain in IA despite adequate antiinflammatory therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 3887 references retrieved by SLR, 2 randomized controlled studies and 35 review articles underwent full-text review. No article was found to adequately address the research question.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No data on the efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids in residual pain in IA could be identified from the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Osteology and Physical Medicine Kerckhoff-Klinik, Benekestrasse 2-8, D-61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany. ingo.h.tarner@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Ingo H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Tarner
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Englbrecht
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Désirée M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: van der Heijde
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Müller-Ladner
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids