In a small study, patients with GCA maintained remission after receiving three days of treatment with methylprednisolone followed by tocilizumab.... [Read More]
Denosumab is now approved to treat adults with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis…... [Read More]
A study identified denosumab as a useful treatment for patients initiating or continuing glucocorticoids who are at risk for fractures. Denosumab had clinical effects similar to risedronate but was more effective than risedronate in the improvement of bone mineral density at the lumbar spine…... [Read More]
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Early oral bisphosphonate use is associated with a lower risk of fractures among oral-glucocorticoid users, researchers from Canada report. Bisphosphonates are commonly used for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, but their efficacy has been established only in primary osteoporosis, where the mechanism of action of bone loss differs from that seen with glucocorticoid use. Dr…. [Read More]
A recent study examined the relationship between increased BMI and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis treatment with glucocorticoids. The results: Weight gain was independently associated with reductions in disease activity, increased glucocorticoid exposure and randomization to rituximab. The most significant increases in BMI occurred during the first six months of treatment, and newly diagnosed patients were more likely to experience an increase in BMI…... [Read More]
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Methotrexate with step-down glucocorticoid remission induction (COBRA Slim) is an effective, safe and feasible initial treatment strategy for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers from Belgium report. Patients with early RA should be treated rapidly, intensively and to target, according to current guidelines, they note in a paper online July 18… [Read More]
Glucocorticoids: The Debate Continues Déjà vu … In past decades, rheumatologists have seen, heard, practiced and taught much of what has been argued in the “ongoing debate” on the use of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 It is heartening to note that eminent professors have stuck to their premise all these… [Read More]
Questions around prescribing steroids as bridge therapy, in long-term low dosages, or low-dose timed-release formulas, or not at all evoke controversy among rheumatologists... [Read More]
Recent research suggests the lymphocyte-suppressive effect of dexamethasone may underlie the glucocorticoid’s effect on building trabecular bone density... [Read More]
Test measures efficacy of compounds for treating arthritis and their effect on glucose kinetics... [Read More]