Early disease control by low-dose prednisone comedication may affect the quality of remission in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

In order to identify rate and stability of remission induced by low-dose prednisone comedication in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we evaluatedpatients with early RA (<1 year) who were randomized to receive (P) or not (non-P) low-dose prednisone in association with step-up disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy over 2 years. Prevalence and duration of clinical remission were evaluated in the first and second year. Each treatment group included 105 patients; no significant differences were found at baseline.

During the first year, P patients achieved higher rates of clinical remission with a time-averaged odds ratio (OR) of 1.965 (CI 95% 1.214-3.182, P= 0.006). Moreover, they showed a higher probability of sustained remission during the second year (OR 4.480, CI 95% 1.354-14.817, P= 0.014). In conclusion, we found as in early RA low-doseprednisone comedication is associated with higher rate of clinical remission, earlier disease activity control and more stable remission over time.

Authors: Todoerti, M. ;Scire, C. A. ;Boffini, N. ;Bugatti, S. ;Montecucco, C. ;Caporali, R. 

Title: Early disease control by low-dose prednisone comedication may affect the quality of remission in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

Year: 2010

Journal: Ann N Y Acad Sci

Volume: 1193

Pages: 139-45

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