Biomaterial Database

Low dose corticosteroids in early rheumatoid arthritis. Can these drugs slow disease progression? 1996

J R Kirwan, and K K Lim

University Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, England.

The role of corticosteroids in treating rheumatoid arthritis is controversial, but recourse to the available evidence of efficacy should guide patient management decisions. Earlier evidence suggested that symptomatic control could be improved for periods of 6 to 12 months, but not longer, without increasing doses to unacceptably high levels. The effect of corticosteroids on joint destruction has been unclear. Recent findings from a controlled clinical trial show that prednisolone 7.5 mg/day can significantly retard the rate of erosive progression in patients with relatively early disease (< 2 years' duration). These results have implications for both disease management and our understanding of the pathogenesis of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010024	Osteoporosis	Reduction of bone mass without alteration in the composition of bone, leading to fractures. Primary osteoporosis can be of two major types: postmenopausal osteoporosis (OSTEOPOROSIS, POSTMENOPAUSAL) and age-related or senile osteoporosis.	Age-Related Osteoporosis,Bone Loss, Age-Related,Osteoporosis, Age-Related,Osteoporosis, Post-Traumatic,Osteoporosis, Senile,Senile Osteoporosis,Osteoporosis, Involutional,Age Related Osteoporosis,Age-Related Bone Loss,Age-Related Bone Losses,Age-Related Osteoporoses,Bone Loss, Age Related,Bone Losses, Age-Related,Osteoporoses,Osteoporoses, Age-Related,Osteoporoses, Senile,Osteoporosis, Age Related,Osteoporosis, Post Traumatic,Post-Traumatic Osteoporoses,Post-Traumatic Osteoporosis,Senile Osteoporoses
D011239	Prednisolone	A glucocorticoid with the general properties of the corticosteroids. It is the drug of choice for all conditions in which routine systemic corticosteroid therapy is indicated, except adrenal deficiency states.	Di-Adreson-F,Predate,Predonine,Di Adreson F,DiAdresonF
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D005938	Glucocorticoids	A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system.	Glucocorticoid,Glucocorticoid Effect,Glucorticoid Effects,Effect, Glucocorticoid,Effects, Glucorticoid
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001172	Arthritis, Rheumatoid	A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated.	Rheumatoid Arthritis
D015337	Multicenter Studies as Topic	Works about controlled studies which are planned and carried out by several cooperating institutions to assess certain variables and outcomes in specific patient populations, for example, a multicenter study of congenital anomalies in children.	Multicenter Trials,Multicentre Studies as Topic,Multicentre Trials,Multicenter Trial,Multicentre Trial,Trial, Multicenter,Trial, Multicentre,Trials, Multicenter,Trials, Multicentre
D018450	Disease Progression	The worsening and general progression of a disease over time. This concept is most often used for chronic and incurable diseases where the stage of the disease is an important determinant of therapy and prognosis.	Clinical Course,Clinical Progression,Disease Exacerbation,Exacerbation, Disease,Progression, Clinical,Progression, Disease