Glucocorticoid Affects Weight, but not Blood Pressure in RA Save

A pooled analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows that the effects of 2 years of low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can significantly increase increase body weight, but not blood pressure.

Data was derived from 5 RCTs in 12 European countries, that included early and established RA patients on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).  They serially examined the effects of GC (7.5 mg or less prednisone equivalent per day) after 2 years in intention-to-treat analyses.

The study included a total of 1112 RA patients (mean age, 61.4 years; 68% women). While both groups (on or off GC) gained weight in 2 years, those on GC gained an average of 1.1 kg (P < 0.001) more weight than control patients.  A the same time there was a mild increase in mean arterial pressure (~2 mm Hg) in both groups, with no significant between-group difference (−0.4 mm Hg; P = 0.187). In addition there was no change in the use of antihypertensive drugs.

RA patients given low-dose glucocorticoids noted a modest but significant weight gain over 2 years for the treatment without an increase in blood pressure.