Where do Glucocorticoids and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Stand in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in The Biologic Era? Biyolojik Tedavi Çağında Romatoid Artrit Tedavisinde Glukokorttikoidler ve Nonsteroid Antiinflamatuvar İlaçların Yeri Nedir?
Journal of Uludag University Medical Faculty, cilt.52, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 52
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.32708/uutfd.1918632
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Uludag University Medical Faculty
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Glucocorticoids, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and glucocorticoid (GC) use and their association with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 686 patients fulfilling the 2010 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for RA were included. Patients were categorized into four groups according to symptomatic therapy exposure: no NSAID/GC use, GC use only, NSAID use only, and combined NSAID and GC use. Disease activity and functional status were assessed using DAS28, HAQ, VAS, and inflammatory markers. Significant differences were observed among the groups with respect to disease duration, DAS28, HAQ, VAS, and CRP levels (p < 0.05). The combined NSAID and GC group represented the largest proportion of patients. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP positivity rates did not differ significantly between groups. Most patients did not report severe adverse events, with gastrointestinal symptoms and weight gain being the most frequently reported side effects. In this real-world cohort, symptomatic therapies remained commonly used despite the widespread availability of biologic treatments. Combined NSAID and GC use was associated with differences in disease activity measures; however, the observational design of the study precludes causal inference. Prospective studies evaluating cumulative drug exposure and long-term outcomes are needed to better define the role of symptomatic therapies in modern RA management.