Initial glucocorticoid bridging in rheumatoid arthritis: does it affect glucocorticoid use over time?
Pooled result · GC useResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 3.27 95% CI 1.06–10.08Authors' conclusion
In randomised trials comparing GC bridging and no GC bridging, bridgers had a more rapid clinical improvement, fewer DMARD changes and similar late use of GC compared with non-bridgers.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the BeSt, CareRA and COBRA trialsBeSt, CareRA and COBRA trials
- Participants
- 625 patients
- Comparison
- Initial glucocorticoids (GC) bridging vs no GC bridging
- Bridgersn = 252
- Outcome
- GC use at 12, 18 and 24 months from baseline
- Follow-up
- 12, 18 and 24 months
Methodological detailsmixed-effects regression analysis
- Mixed-effects regression analysis
Pooled result
GC use · 12 months
Odds ratio
3.27
95% CI 1.06–10.08
Bridgersvs Non-bridgers
OR 3.27 (95% CI 1.06–10.08)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Difference (mg) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative GC dose including bridging schedules · 24 months | 2406 (1403–3408) | |
| −2000020004000Difference, mg (linear scale) |
| Outcome | IRR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of DMARD changesSignificantly fewer changes in bridgers | 0.59 (0.38–0.94) | |
| 0.20.5125Incidence rate ratio (log scale) |
Cumulative GC dose excluding bridging period · 24 months
- Cumulative doses were similar
Mean DAS28 over time
- Mean DAS28 similar between groups; bridgers improved more rapidly in the first 6 months
- P < 0.001
Original publication
Initial glucocorticoid bridging in rheumatoid arthritis: does it affect glucocorticoid use over time? Ann Rheum Dis. Published 2 January 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →