Successful discontinuation of oral glucocorticoids after short-term bridging therapy in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this paper is to examine whether patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can discontinue prednisolone after short-term bridging therapy.

METHODS

Patients naïve to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs with recent-onset RA in the ARCTIC (Aiming for Remission in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised trial examining the benefit of ultrasound in a Clinical TIght Control regimen) trial were followed for 24 months, with initial methotrexate monotherapy and prednisolone bridging therapy (tapering doses from 15 mg to 0 over 7 weeks). We explored the proportion of patients successfully discontinuing prednisolone, defined as no prednisolone use after bridging therapy, and for at least 4 subsequent months. Discontinuation was assessed after cessation of bridging therapy at 2, 3, 6, 12, 20, and 24 months. Additionally, we examined how many patients used prednisolone continuously for ≥3 months.

RESULTS

Of 230 patients, 227 started prednisolone bridging therapy and were included for analyses. At baseline, mean (SD) age was 52 (13.7) years, mean (SD) disease activity score was 3.47 (1.17), 62% patients were female, and 82% patients were anticitrullinated peptide antibody positive. After 7 weeks, 84% (191/227) had discontinued prednisolone, 89% (203/227) had discontinued at 3 months, and 95% (216/227) within 24 months. Five percent (11/227) used prednisolone at every visit. The median number of days (IQR) of prednisolone use during 2 years was 55 (48-90). Among those who discontinued after 7 weeks, 80% (152/191) did not restart prednisolone. Continuous use for at least 3 months was observed in 22%.

CONCLUSIONS

In newly diagnosed patients with RA using bridging therapy when starting methotrexate, over 80% successfully discontinued prednisolone. This supports that tapering to discontinuation is achievable in most patients after short-term bridging with prednisolone, in line with current European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations.