What is rheumatoid arthritis and why use glucocorticoids?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. The attack happens mostly in the joints (especially in the hands and feet) and causes redness, pain, swelling and heat in the joint (inflammation). Glucocorticoids are also known as glucocorticosteroids, or sometimes just ‘steroids’, although there are many other types of steroids. Low doses of glucocorticoids, taken as pills for up to 7 months, have already been shown to improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis also breaks down and erodes away the cartilage and bones in the affected joints. This erosion is measured by x-rays. More erosion on an x-ray usually means that the disease is progressing or worsening. Research is being done to find treatments that can slow the disease and the erosion.What are the effects of glucocorticoids on the progress of rheumatoid arthritis? The studies looked at people who had rheumatoid arthritis for up to 2 years. Low doses of
Related Questions
- Are glucocorticoids a consistent risk factor for infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients under treatment with methotrexate and etanercept?
- Does low-dose and short-term glucocorticoids treatment increase the risk of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis female patients?
- What is rheumatoid arthritis and why use glucocorticoids?
