Risks and benefits of corticosteroids in arthritic diseases in the clinic

Ioanna Petta; Isabelle Peene; Dirk Elewaut; Lars Vereecke; Karolien De Bosscher

doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.009

Risks and benefits of corticosteroids in arthritic diseases in the clinic

Biochem Pharmacol. 2019 Jul:165:112-125. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.009. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Authors

Ioanna Petta¹, Isabelle Peene², Dirk Elewaut¹, Lars Vereecke¹, Karolien De Bosscher³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Host-Microbiota Interaction Lab (HMI) and Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Ghent University, Technologiepark 71 - Zwijnaarde, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Ghent Gut Inflammation Group (GGIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
² Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Host-Microbiota Interaction Lab (HMI) and Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Ghent University, Technologiepark 71 - Zwijnaarde, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Rheumatology, AZ SintJan, Ruddershove 10, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
³ Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: karolien.debosscher@vib-ugent.be.

PMID: 30978323
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.009

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) constitute a first line treatment for many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Due to their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions, GCs are added frequently to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in various arthritic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, their prolonged administration or administration at high doses is associated with adverse effects that may be (quality of) life-threatening, including osteoporosis, metabolic, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects. In this review, we summarize the clinical and pharmacological effects of GCs in different arthritic diseases, while documenting the current research efforts towards the identification of novel and more efficient GCs with reduced side effects.

Keywords: Corticosteroids; DMARDs; Lupus erythematosus; Rheumatoid arthritis; Side effects; Vasculitis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / pharmacology
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
Humans
Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Prednisone