Key clinical point: The administration of low-dose glucocorticoids over 2 years resulted in a modest weight gain of ~1 kg but had no effect on blood pressure (BP) in patients with early and established rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Major finding: After 2 years, participants in both the low-dose glucocorticoid and control groups gained weight, but the low-dose glucocorticoid group gained an additional 1.1 kg of body weight (P < .001), with no significant between-group differences in the mean arterial pressure (P = .187).
Study details: Findings are from a pooled analysis of five randomized controlled trials including 1112 patients with early and established RA who received low-dose glucocorticoids (≤7.5 mg/day of prednisone equivalent; n = 548) or control treatment (n = 564) over at least 2 years.
Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. Some authors declared receiving investigator fees, grants or contracts, consulting fees, payments or honoraria, or support for attending meetings or travel from or owning stocks or options in various sources.
Source: Palmowski A et al. The effect of low-dose glucocorticoids over two years on weight and blood pressure in rheumatoid arthritis: Individual patient data from five randomized trials. Ann Intern Med. 2023 (Aug 15). doi: 10.7326/M23-0192