Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in patients receiving long-term intra-articular corticosteroids

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function of eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving regular intra-articular methyl prednisolone acetate was studied. Tests of the HPA axis 5-7 weeks after the last injection revealed suppression in two patients. Some patients receiving intra-articular corticosteroids may therefore have abnormal responses to stress.