title: Old But Good: Modified-Release Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
abstract: Since more than 50 years glucocorticoids represent the milestone in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, many patients with RA present a circadian rhythm in symptoms severity with a significant worsening in the morning, that correlates with cyclic changes in circulating hormones and cytokines. Classical steroid therapy given in the morning fails to intercept this pathophysiological phenomenon. In the last years, a novel formulation of prednisone has been developed in order to better fit these variations, improve efficacy and minimize adverse events (chronotherapy). This modified-release (MR) prednisone is administered in the evening at 10.00 p.m. and absorbed after about 4 hours.
  
  
  
  In this article, we reviewed the recent clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of MR prednisone in RA patients, including two randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials Circadian Administration of Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis - 1 (CAPRA-1) and CAPRA-2 and other nonrandomized observational studies.
  
  
  
  According to the available evidence, MR prednisone seems effective in ameliorating morning stiffness in RA patients.
  
  
  
  In conclusion, the use of MR prednisone in the treatment regimen could be a costeffective choice in a significant proportion of RA patients, particularly in those with a clinical phenotype characterized by morning stiffness or morning recrudescence of pain. With regards to the safety, MR prednisone adverse events profile does not differ from that of IR glucocorticoids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", viale Europa (loc. Germaneto) - Catanzaro. Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ursini
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", viale Europa (loc. Germaneto) - Catanzaro. Italy.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naty
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", viale Europa (loc. Germaneto) - Catanzaro. Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", viale Europa (loc. Germaneto) - Catanzaro. Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa Daniela
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Grembiale
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D055870:Drug Chronotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011241:Prednisone
keywords: Chronobiology; chronotherapy; corticosteroids; modified release prednisone; prednisone; rheumatoid arthritis