Glucocorticoid trajectories over 2 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a real-life setting
Authors' conclusion
GCs were used in almost half of patients with established RA in real-world practice. For the majority of GC users, a long-term low dose of GCs is maintained over 2 years.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the longitudinal RCVRIC cohort initiating or changing bDMARDs81 glucocorticoid (GC) users
- Participants
- 184 patients
- Exposure
- GC maintenance trajectory vs GC discontinuation trajectory
- Trajectory 1n = 20reference
- Trajectory 2n = 61
- Outcome
- GC use and GC dose trajectories
- Follow-up
- 2 years
Methodological detailslongitudinal RCVRIC cohort, group-based trajectory models, real-life setting
- Longitudinal RCVRIC cohort
- Group-based trajectory models
- Real-life setting
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Patients on GCs at baseline
- 81 (44%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Good EULAR response (adjusted for HAQ, GC duration and MTX use) · 6 months
P = 0.03
Good EULAR response (adjusted for HAQ, GC duration and MTX use) · 1 year
P = 0.02
Characteristics of Trajectory 2
- Trajectory 2 significantly associated with higher Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), longer GC duration and less frequent MTX association
GC users vs non-users at baseline
- GC users significantly older, higher CRP and HAQ, more hypertension, lower lumbar T-score; similar activity and erosive scores
Safety
Diabetes, fractures and increased BMI
- Noted in Trajectory 2
Original publication
Glucocorticoid trajectories over 2 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a real-life setting. RMD Open. Published 25 October 2023. doi:10.
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