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Corticosteroids often used are to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but, even at low doses, steroids confer excess risk for cataracts, skin fragility, osteoporosis, and infection. In this multicenter European trial in 259 adults with RA, investigators evaluated whether tapering and discontinuing steroids is possible without producing RA flares.
All patients had been taking tocilizumab (Actemra) for at least 24 weeks; had been receiving long-term, low-dose prednisone (5–15 mg daily, with dose tapered to 5 mg by the time of randomization); and were in a low disease-activity state, according to a standard disease-activity score. Patients were randomized to continue 5-mg prednisone daily or to taper prednisone with a goal of disconti…