title: Corticosteroids in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been the cornerstone of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) therapy since their advent in the 1950s. There is considerable variation in their use, both with respect to dose and duration. Given considerable treatment-related morbidity and mortality, refining the role of GCs is becoming increasingly important. This article discusses the current role of GCs in various phases of AAV treatment, including remission induction, maintenance therapy, treatment of relapses, and the use of local GCs. It discusses current controversies relating to GC use as well as research efforts that seek to reduce GC toxicity in AAV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Suite 2C, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: emiloslavsky@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Eli M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Miloslavsky
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056648:Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy; D055953:Microscopic Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: ANCA-associated vasculitis; Glucocorticoids; Granulomatosis with polyangiitis; Microscopic polyangiitis