Corticosteroids in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases

The year 2000 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Medicine to Hench, Kendall, and Reichstein for their discovery of glucocorticoid treatment of rheumatic diseases. The efficacy and toxicity of glucocorticoids has remained a matter of contention ever since, with debate continuing over their place in the therapeutic armamentarium of rheumatologists. Few if any rheumatologists would not prescribe glucocorticoids, however, and review of new data on their use, efficacy, and toxicity remains topical. Perceived advances in the ability to manage osteoporosis arising from glucocorticoid use has allowed focus to shift onto other toxicities, including vascular disease, but important advances in our understanding of the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids are still lacking.