RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Glucocorticoid Effect on Radiographic Progression in Placebo Arms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Biologics Trials JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1024 OP 1026 DO 10.3899/jrheum.150932 VO 43 IS 6 A1 Maarten Boers A1 Daniel Aletaha A1 Christopher M. Mela A1 Daniel G. Baker A1 Josef S. Smolen YR 2016 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/43/6/1024.abstract AB Objective. To assess the effect of glucocorticoids (GC) on damage progression in placebo-biologic arms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) biologics trials.Methods. Posthoc metaanalysis of 2 infliximab (IFX) trials (established and early RA) and 1 tocilizumab (TCZ) trial (established RA).Results. The proportion of patients receiving GC was 38%–64%, baseline damage was 11–82 Sharp/van der Heijde points, and progression in the placebo groups was 0.5–4.8 points in 6 months. In the pooled IFX studies, GC cotreatment reduced 6-month progression by 2.6 points (95% CI 0.6–4.5). In the TCZ study (progression rate 0.5 Genant points), no such difference was seen.Conclusion. GC cotreatment may affect results in RA trials.