Overuse of glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis: a national survey of primary care physicians

Key message:  
- Primary care providers overprescribe glucocorticoids  for RA management, perhaps owing to inadequate communication with rheumatologists. 


SIR, RA generates >$39 billion annually in health and societal  costs [1] and affects 1.3 million Americans. Most individuals with RA receive oral glucocorticoids, such as prednisone [2], despite growing concerns about their safety [3]. National guidelines recommend using glucocorticoids at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible duration to treat RA symptom flares [4]; however, no optimal exposure threshold for RA management has been defined because the risks of glucocorticoid exposure vary widely based on patient factors [5]. We sought to evaluate how primary care physicians (PCPs) prescribe glucocorticoids for RA flares in patients co-managed by rheumatologists. We hypothesized that a PCP’s perception of glucocorticoid side effects influences their willingness to use glucocorticoids for patients with established RA.

Authors: Wallace, B. I.; Waljee, A. K.; Weissman, A.; Caverly, T. J.; Saini, S. D.

Title: Overuse of glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis: a national survey of primary care physicians

Year: 2019

Journal: Rheumatol Adv Pract

Volume: 3

Issue: 1

Pages: rky049

Pubmed Link: Click here