Prednisolone can be used for short term intermittent control of rheumatoid arthritis
Oral corticosteroids are used mainly for their symptomatic effect
for
example, for acute exacerbations of rheumatoid arthritis. The effect of
low doses has been variable, however, and was recently questioned. In a
systematic review of randomised trials comparing corticosteroids
(15 mg/day prednisolone or equivalent) with placebo or with
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Gotzsche et al found that
prednisolone is highly effective and has an acceptable risk of adverse
effects, even when given for longer periods (p 811). Oral low dose
prednisolone may therefore be used intermittently in rheumatoid
arthritis that cannot be controlled by other means.
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- Meta-analysis of short term low dose prednisolone versus placebo and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in rheumatoid arthritis
- Peter C Gøtzsche and Helle Krogh Johansen
BMJ 1998 316: 811-818.[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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