Long-term effects on bone mineral density after four years of treatment with two intensive combination strategies, including initially high-dose prednisolone, in early rheumatoid arthritis patients: the COBRA-light trial

ConclusionIn a treat-to-target design in early RA, over 4  years, no differences between groups were found in change in BMD at total hip, femoral neck and the lumbar spine. At the hip, bone loss was around 3% in both groups, while mild bone loss was observed at lumbar spine, both in patients starting prednisolone 60 and 30 mg/day. These data suggest tha t the well-known negative effects of prednisolone can be modulated by modern treatment of RA.
Source: Osteoporosis International - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research