Old But Good: Modified-Release Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Title:Old But Good: Modified-Release Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Volume: 12 Issue: 2

Author(s): Francesco Ursini*, Saverio Naty, Caterina Bruno and Rosa Daniela Grembiale

Affiliation:

• Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro ,Italy

Keywords: Chronobiology, chronotherapy, corticosteroids, modified release prednisone, prednisone, rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Background: Since more than 50 years glucocorticoids represent the milestone in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, many patients with RA present a circadian rhythm in symptoms severity with a significant worsening in the morning, that correlates with cyclic changes in circulating hormones and cytokines. Classical steroid therapy given in the morning fails to intercept this pathophysiological phenomenon. In the last years, a novel formulation of prednisone has been developed in order to better fit these variations, improve efficacy and minimize adverse events (chronotherapy). This modified-release (MR) prednisone is administered in the evening at 10.00 p.m. and absorbed after about 4 hours.

Methods: In this article, we reviewed the recent clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of MR prednisone in RA patients, including two randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials Circadian Administration of Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis – 1 (CAPRA-1) and CAPRA-2 and other nonrandomized observational studies. Results: According to the available evidence, MR prednisone seems effective in ameliorating morning stiffness in RA patients.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the use of MR prednisone in the treatment regimen could be a costeffective choice in a significant proportion of RA patients, particularly in those with a clinical phenotype characterized by morning stiffness or morning recrudescence of pain. With regards to the safety, MR prednisone adverse events profile does not differ from that of IR glucocorticoids.

Cite this article as:

Ursini Francesco*, Naty Saverio, Bruno Caterina and Grembiale Daniela Rosa, Old But Good: Modified-Release Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials 2017; 12 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574887112666170328124539

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574887112666170328124539	Print ISSN 1574-8871
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1876-1038