Steroids Can Reduce Joint Damage From Rheumatoid Arthritis
by admin ~ July 13th, 2009.
A review revealed that this disease can be treated with low doses of steroids which inhibit joint damage when used during the early phase of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The steroids studied in the review are known as glucocorticoids and include the well-known anti-inflammatory prednisone. This medication is often prescribed in the first few months after diagnosis to relieve the discomfort of RA until slower-acting drugs begin protecting the joints.
The most immediate concern of low dose of steroids in RA is the reduced bone mineral density. However, recent clinical trials have proven that this side effect can now be readily treated.
From Bio-Medicine:
The review appears in the most recent issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing medical trials on a topic.
The systematic review is based on 15 studies including 1,414 patients. In most of the studies, patients received low dose s of glucocorticoid pills along with so-called disease-modifying drugs for one to two years. Periodic X-rays revealed the extent of joint erosion and other signs of damage.
Because of the known health risks associated with intensive steroid use, concern persists regarding long-term use at any level. The authors cite a 2006 systematic review covering the adverse effects of low-dose glucocorticoids, which concluded that “few of the commonly held beliefs about their incidence, prevalence and impact are supported by clear scientific evidence.”
All studies except one showed reduced progression of joint damage in patients taking glucocorticoids.
RA is a chronic disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy joint tissue. The hands and feet are frequently affected, and as the disease progresses it can cause pain, swelling, deformity and disability.
Category: Anabolic Steroids | Tags: glucocorticoids, RA, rheumatoid arthritis, steroids