Related Experiment Videos
Corticosteroid pulse therapy in active rheumatoid arthritis
B L Weusten1, J W Jacobs, J W Bijlsma
1Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Corticosteroid pulse therapy (CPT) effectively treats rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with high-dose CPT bridging the lag time for other treatments. While beneficial, CPT frequently causes mild side effects in RA patients.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often requires intensive treatment strategies.
- Corticosteroid pulse therapy (CPT) is a recognized approach for managing severe RA flares.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of various corticosteroid pulse therapy (CPT) regimens in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To evaluate the incidence and nature of short-term and long-term side effects associated with CPT in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review comparing different CPT regimens (high-dose, low-dose, oral).
- Retrospective analysis of side effects in 50 RA patients receiving 78 CPT regimens.
Main Results:
- Multiple CPT regimens demonstrate efficacy in RA, with clinical benefits lasting 4-10 weeks.
- High-dose intravenous CPT (1,000 mg methylprednisolone) effectively bridges the onset of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
- Side effects were frequent but predominantly mild; potential links to osteonecrosis of the femoral head were discussed.
Conclusions:
- Corticosteroid pulse therapy (CPT) is a beneficial treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Patients undergoing CPT for RA frequently experience side effects of varying severity, necessitating careful monitoring.