Patterns of steroid use in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis commencing treatment with biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the clinical use of steroids in established RA.

Methods

A cohort of RA patients commencing treatment with biologic or targeted synthetic (b/ts) DMARDs was followed prospectively, with clinical data recorded pre-baseline and at the 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up. Patients were included in this analysis if they had completed the first year of follow-up and had data on steroid use available for at least one follow-up. The proportions of patients receiving steroids at different timepoints were compared and further differentiated between continued (receiving steroids at two consecutive timepoints) and newly started treatment. Lastly, mixed linear effect models were used to assess the relationship between clinical factors and steroid use.

Results

The

SUBMITTER: Stadler M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12758120 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature