Steroid/DMARD beneficial in RA.

Australian Doctor,  February, 2007  

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By Rebecca Jenkins

COMBINING oral steroids with standard therapy for early rheumatoid arthritis provides additional protection against joint destruction, a review suggests.

The meta-analysis examined 15 studies where most patients received oral glucocorticoids and a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) such as sulphasalazine.

"This review suggests that in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis of less than two years' duration who require treatment with DMARDs there would be substantial reduction in joint destruction by the addition of suitable low-dose or ...

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