Rheumatoid arthritis is a power progressive autoimmune inflammatory illness that impacts multiple organ programs, but the joints in particular. Rheumatoid arthritis also damages and erodes away the cartilage and bones within the affected joints. This erosion can't be seen by physical examination and is measured by x-rays. More erosion on an x-ray usually signifies that the illness is progressing or worsening.

Glucocorticoids or corticosteroids such as prednisone are used by some arthritis sufferers to reduce irritation and suppress immune system activity. Artificial corticosteroids, like prednisone, are designed to mimic cortisol action in body. Cortisol is a pure corticosteroid produced by the adrenal glands.

Glucocorticoids have been proven to improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. There's some debate as to if glucocorticoids can slow the progression of the disease.

There's also concern about the long run unwanted side effects, such as coronary heart problems, when taking glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoid use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is common. Two Cochrane Critiques have been published analyzing the brief term clinical benefit of low dose glucocorticoids in comparison with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They have demonstrated good short term and medium term clinical benefits. The possibility that glucocorticoids may have a "disease modifying" impact in RA, which might be seen by a discount in the price of radiological development, has been recommended by several investigators.

The objectives of the present assessment were to evaluate glucocorticoid efficacy in inhibiting the development of radiological damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

This abstract of a Cochrane evaluation presents what we all know in regards to the effect of low dose glucocorticoids, resembling prednisone, on the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

The research that have been reviewed checked out people who had rheumatoid for up to 2 years. Low doses of glucocorticoid tablets have been taken and usually with a illness-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug (DMARD). X-rays were periodically used to assess the progression of joint erosion and other signs of joint damage. Of the research which had been reviewed, all but one concluded that glucocorticoids given together with normal arthritis therapies significantly decreased the speed of joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis patients. It did not necessarily correlate with lengthy-time period improvement in perform however.

Bottom line: In individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, low dose glucocorticoids cut back the development of RA over a 1 one to two year period.

This benefit occurred in folks already taking a illness-modifying anti-rheumatoid drug (DMARD) and due to this fact this profit is over and above any advantages from the DMARDs.

These results had been true in those that had rheumatoid arthritis for less than 2 years. It seems attainable that glucocorticoids would have the identical effect in individuals who have had rheumatoid for 3 to four years, however it's not known whether this is true in individuals who have had it for longer.

The proof that glucocorticoids, given along with commonplace remedy, can considerably reduce the speed of erosion progression in rheumatoid arthritis is convincing. There is concern about potential lengthy-time period opposed reactions to glucocorticoid remedy, similar to increased cardiovascular threat and osteoporosis.