Successful discontinuation of oral glucocorticoids after short-term bridging therapy in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis
Authors' conclusion
In newly diagnosed patients with RA using bridging therapy when starting methotrexate, over 80% successfully discontinued prednisolone.
Study context
- Population
- DMARD-naïve patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the ARCTIC trial, on initial MTX monotherapy and prednisolone bridging therapy (tapering from 15 mg to 0 over 7 weeks)227 analysed
- Participants
- 230 patients
- Primary endpoint
- Proportion successfully discontinuing prednisolone: no prednisolone use after bridging therapy, and for at least 4 subsequent months
Methodological details24-month follow-up
- 24-month follow-up
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Discontinued prednisolone
Discontinued after 7 weeks
84%
191/227
Discontinued at 3 months
89%
203/227
Discontinued within 24 months
95%
216/227
Further findings
Prednisolone use at every visit
- Used prednisolone at every visit
- Five percent (11/227)
Days of prednisolone use during 2 years
- Median days (IQR)
- 55 (48-90)
No restart among those discontinuing after 7 weeks
- Did not restart prednisolone
- 80% (152/191)
Continuous prednisolone use ≥3 months
- Continuous use for at least 3 months
- 22%
Original publication
Successful discontinuation of oral glucocorticoids after short-term bridging therapy in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 30 January 2026. doi:10.
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