Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • First Release
    • Current
    • Archives
    • Collections
    • AV Rheum
  • Resources
    • Guide for Authors
    • Submit Manuscript
    • Author Payment
    • Reviewers
    • Advertisers
    • Classified Ads
    • Reprints and Translations
    • Permissions
    • Meetings
    • FAQ
    • Policies
  • Subscribers
    • Subscription Information
    • Purchase Subscription
    • Your Account
    • Terms and Conditions
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Letter from the Editor
    • Duncan A. Gordon Award
    • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
  • JRheum Supplements
  • Services

User menu

  • My Cart
  • Log In

Search

  • Advanced search
The Journal of Rheumatology
  • JRheum Supplements
  • Services
  • My Cart
  • Log In
The Journal of Rheumatology

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • First Release
    • Current
    • Archives
    • Collections
    • AV Rheum
  • Resources
    • Guide for Authors
    • Submit Manuscript
    • Author Payment
    • Reviewers
    • Advertisers
    • Classified Ads
    • Reprints and Translations
    • Permissions
    • Meetings
    • FAQ
    • Policies
  • Subscribers
    • Subscription Information
    • Purchase Subscription
    • Your Account
    • Terms and Conditions
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Letter from the Editor
    • Duncan A. Gordon Award
    • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
  • Follow jrheum on Twitter
  • Visit jrheum on Facebook
  • Follow jrheum on LinkedIn
  • Follow jrheum on RSS
Research ArticleArticle

Permanent Discontinuation of Glucocorticoids in Polymyalgia Rheumatica is Uncommon but May Be Enhanced by Amino Bisphosphonates

Alessandro Giollo, Maurizio Rossini, Francesco Bettili, Francesco Ghellere, Elena Fracassi, Luca Idolazzi, Davide Gatti and Ombretta Viapiana
The Journal of Rheumatology November 2018, jrheum.180324; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180324
Alessandro Giollo
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Alessandro Giollo
Maurizio Rossini
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Maurizio Rossini
Francesco Bettili
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Francesco Ghellere
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Elena Fracassi
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Luca Idolazzi
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Davide Gatti
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Ombretta Viapiana
From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; M. Rossini, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Bettili, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; F. Ghellere, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; E. Fracassi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; L. Idolazzi, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; D. Gatti, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona; O. Viapiana, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona. Address correspondence to Dr. A. Giollo, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. E-mail: alessandrogiollo@gmail.com. Accepted for publication August 8, 2018.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
  • eLetters
Next
Loading

Abstract

Objective The duration of treatment with glucocorticoids (GC) in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is often longterm. Amino bisphosphonates (N-BP) are used in PMR for the prevention of GC-induced osteoporosis, but they could also have immunomodulatory properties. Whether they can be effective as an adjuvant treatment in PMR is unknown. We aimed to establish whether the use of N-BP in our PMR cohort may be associated with GC discontinuation.

Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with PMR recorded in our electronic medical notes. Cox regression analyses were used to examine the association between the use of N-BP and discontinuation of GC.

Results Data were retrieved for 385 patients (mean age 71 ± 10 yrs, 64% females, mean initial prednisone dose 19 ± 9 mg/day). The median followup time was 38 months (range 9–57); more than 60% of patients were exposed to N-BP. GC were discontinued in 47% of patients after a median time of 20 months (range 14–27), but subsequently restarted in 39%. Overall, 276/385 patients (72%) were actively treated at their last available evaluation (mean prednisone dose 4.9 ± 5.5 mg/day), while 123/205 (60%) were still receiving GC after 24 months of followup. The use of N-BP was associated with the discontinuation of GC (adjusted HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.88), independent of age, initial GC dose, and osteoporosis.

Conclusion Unlike current guidelines, longterm treatment with GC is often necessary. These preliminary data suggest that N-BP may be involved in the management of PMR.

Log in using your username and password

Forgot your user name or password?

Purchase access

You may purchase access to this article. This will require you to create an account if you don't already have one.
Next
Back to top

In this issue

The Journal of Rheumatology
Vol. 46, Issue 12
1 Dec 2019
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Index by Author
  • Editorial Board (PDF)
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about The Journal of Rheumatology.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Permanent Discontinuation of Glucocorticoids in Polymyalgia Rheumatica is Uncommon but May Be Enhanced by Amino Bisphosphonates
(Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from The Journal of Rheumatology
(Your Name) thought you would like to see this page from the The Journal of Rheumatology web site.
Citation Tools
Permanent Discontinuation of Glucocorticoids in Polymyalgia Rheumatica is Uncommon but May Be Enhanced by Amino Bisphosphonates
Alessandro Giollo, Maurizio Rossini, Francesco Bettili, Francesco Ghellere, Elena Fracassi, Luca Idolazzi, Davide Gatti, Ombretta Viapiana
The Journal of Rheumatology Nov 2018, jrheum.180324; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.180324

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero

 Request Permissions

Share
Permanent Discontinuation of Glucocorticoids in Polymyalgia Rheumatica is Uncommon but May Be Enhanced by Amino Bisphosphonates
Alessandro Giollo, Maurizio Rossini, Francesco Bettili, Francesco Ghellere, Elena Fracassi, Luca Idolazzi, Davide Gatti, Ombretta Viapiana
The Journal of Rheumatology Nov 2018, jrheum.180324; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.180324
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Save to my folders

Jump to section

  • Article
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
  • eLetters

Related Articles

Cited By...

More in this TOC Section

  • Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Profiles in Patients with Incident Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis
  • Suboptimal Immunization Coverage among Canadian Rheumatology Patients in Routine Clinical Care
  • Changes in the Presentation of Incident Gout and the Risk of Subsequent Flares: A Population-based Study over 20 Years
Show more Articles

Similar Articles

Content

  • First Release
  • Current
  • Archives
  • Collections
  • AV Rheum

Resources

  • Guide for Authors
  • Submit Manuscript
  • Author Payment
  • Reviewers
  • Advertisers
  • Classified Ads
  • Reprints and Translations
  • Permissions
  • Meetings
  • FAQ
  • Policies

Subscribers

  • Subscription Information
  • Purchase Subscription
  • Your Account
  • Terms and Conditions

More

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • My Alerts
  • My Folders
  • RSS Feeds
The Journal of Rheumatology
The content of this site is intended for health care professionals.
Copyright © 2016 by The Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Co. Ltd.
Print ISSN: 0315-162X; Online ISSN: 1499-2752
Powered by HighWire