Bone degradation in RA patients receiving glucocorticoids

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 120 patients suffering from RA classified into four groups in addition to 20 normal control. Regarding base line level of deoxypyridinoline [DPD], there was no significant difference between all groups and controls. Bone resorption increased for RA without glucocorticoids [GCs] and those receiving 5 mg/d of prednisolone but not significantly elevated than controls. For RA patients who received 10 mg/d of prednisolone, there was a significant increase in bone resorption. For RA patients who received 15 mg/d of prednisolone, there was much increase in bone resorption. After six months, doses of GCs for 10 mg and 15 mg were tapered with an apparent decrease in bone resorption