Glucocorticoid

There is no evidence that recovery from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children differs following treatment with glucocorticoids alone, intravenous immune globulin alone or a combination of the two, according to data.

Reduced glucocorticoids alongside rituximab are noninferior to a regimen of high-dose glucocorticoids plus rituximab for remission induction at 6 months in patients with new ANCA-associated vasculitis, according to data published in JAMA.

The American College of Rheumatology has released its updated treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis, with a strong emphasis on the use of methotrexate before adding or switching to DMARDs, according to the lead author.

Tocilizumab, the one biologic therapy that has FDA approval for giant cell arteritis, has shown ongoing efficacy in keeping patients in remission and off steroids, according to a pair of presenters at the Biologic Therapies Summit.

A substantial proportion of patients who received tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis for 1 year remain in drug-free remission throughout the 2 years after ceasing therapy, according to data published in The Lancet Rheumatology.

An initial median prednisone dose of 45 mg per day achieved significantly better complete renal response rates at 1 year in patients with new-onset lupus nephritis, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

In an email interview with Healio, Elizabeth Volkmann, MD, MS, discussed how glucocorticoids are often used in clinical practice, how to approach tapering off glucocorticoids and considerations for use of glucocorticoids while being mindful of the ACR guidelines.

The simultaneous use of oral glucocorticoids and proton pump inhibitors is associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk for osteoporotic fractures in patients aged 50 years and older with rheumatoid arthritis, according to data.

Survey data show that the symptom burden of thyroid eye disease persists during the chronic phase of the disease, with most patients reporting continued low quality of life even after systemic glucocorticoid therapy or surgery.

Patients with COVID-19 who require supplemental oxygen, or noninvasive or mechanical ventilation, should receive systemic glucocorticoids as they can decrease mortality, according to EULAR “points to consider.”