title: Update on the use of steroids in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Corticosteroids are a mainstay in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In recent years, a number of high-quality controlled clinical trials have shown their effect as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and a favourable safety profile in recent-onset RA. Despite this, they are more frequently used as bridge therapy while other DMARDs initiate their action than as true disease-modifying agents. Low-dose corticosteroid use during the first two years of disease slows radiologic damage and reduces the need of biologic therapy aimed at reaching a state of clinical remission in recent-onset RA. Thus, their systematic use in this clinical scenario should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: García-Magallón
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silva-Fernández
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Andreu-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones
keywords: Artritis reumatoide; Corticosteroids; Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; Fármacos modificadores de enfermedad; Glucocorticoides; Rheumatoid arthritis