title: Glucocorticoids and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) were discovered in the 1940s and were administered for the first time to patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 1948. However, side effects were subsequently reported. In the last 7 decades, the mechanisms of action for both therapeutic properties and side effects have been elucidated. Mechanisms for minimizing side effects were also developed. GCs are the most frequently used class of drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis because of their efficacy in relieving symptoms and their low cost. A review of clinical applications, side effects, and drug interactions is presented.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana Fonseca
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology, Physical medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
authors.forename: Alaa Abdelkhalik
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ahmed Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK. Electronic address: p.emery@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emery
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000139:chemically induced; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000139:chemically induced; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Dose; Drug-drug interactions; Glucocorticoids; Prednisolone; Rheumatoid arthritis; Side effect