Changes in (markers of) bone metabolism during high dose corticosteroid pulse treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with concentrated levels of corticosteroids appear to respond well to treatment and experience minimal short-term effects on bone formation. Researchers measured markers of bone loss and bone formation in blood and urine samples from 17 patients with RA treated intravenously for eight days with dexamethasone. This study group included five men, six pre-menopausal women, and six post-menopausal women. The group showed improvement in all measurements of disease activity including joint scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and levels of C reactive protein up to six weeks following treatment. Bone loss decreased following treatment as measured by levels of three bone byproducts. These bone loss measurements did not, however, come down to normal levels. Levels of bone formation markers also decreased during treatment but returned to normal levels two weeks following treatment. There were no serious side effects.

Bones, Physiological aspects, Corticosteroids, Adrenocortical hormones, Bone density, Bone resorption

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Androgens as adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal female patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Post-menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from treatment with testosterone therapy. For one year 107 post-menopausal women with active rheumatoid arthritis received either testosterone injections or placebo injections (control group). Disease activity as measured by pain scores, disability scores, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly lower for patients receiving testosterone treatment than the control group. Reported side effects with testosterone therapy included excessive body hair distributed in a masculine pattern, painful breasts, and a changing voice.

Health aspects, Testosterone, Postmenopausal women

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