Table 1 Effects of GCs on endothelial function in RA
From: Glucocorticoids and endothelial function in inflammatory diseases: focus on rheumatoid arthritis
Country of the study | Number of patients | Disease duration (years) | Disease activity (DAS 28) | Treatment | GC treatment duration | Control group | Evaluation criteria | Effect on endothelial function | Newcastle-Ottawa scale | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hafström et al. [45] | Sweden | 13 | <2 | 3.0 ± 1.3 | Prednisolone 7.5 mg/day (p.o.) + DMARD | 5 years | DMARD alone | FMD | 3.44 % ± 2.08 vs 3.74 % ± 2.9 (NS) | 8 |
Ikonomidis et al. [46] | Greece | 19 | 10 | 5.3 ± 1.1 | Prednisolone upper dose 5 mg/day (p.o.) + DMARD | 30 days | Compared to baseline | FMD | 5.0 % ± 1.9 vs 4.3 % ± 1.6 (NS) | 9 |
Foster et al. [47] | England | 3 | 10.7 | - | Methylprednisolone 500 mg (i.v.) | Single dose | Compared to baseline | FMD | 3.3 % vs 3.1 % (NS) | 4 |
Veselinovic et al. [48] | Serbia | 52 | 5.72 | 3.69 ± 0.84 | Prednisolone 7.5 mg/day (p.o.) + DMARD | At least 1 year | RA patients without GC | FMD | 9.16 % ± 7.03 vs 12.6 % ± 5.49 P = 0.005 | 7 |
Radhakutty et al. [49] | Australia | 18 | - | - | Prednisolone 6 mg/day (p.o.) | 7 days | RA patients taking prednisolone for 6 months (4–10 mg/day) | PAT | No effect | 7 |