RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Adverse Events During Longterm Low-dose Glucocorticoid Treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Retrospective Study JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.110851 DO 10.3899/jrheum.110851 A1 Maurizio Mazzantini A1 Claudia Torre A1 Mario Miccoli A1 Angelo Baggiani A1 Rosaria Talarico A1 Stefano Bombardieri A1 Ombretta Di Munno YR 2012 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2012/01/12/jrheum.110851.abstract AB Objective To assess the occurrence of adverse events in a cohort of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), treated with low-dose glucocorticoids (GC). Methods This was a retrospective study by review of medical records. Results We identified 222 patients who had a mean duration of followup of 60 ± 22 months and a mean duration of GC therapy of 46 ± 22 months. We found that 95 patients (43%) had at least 1 adverse event after a mean duration of GC therapy of 31 ± 22 months and a mean cumulative dose of 3.4 ± 2.4 g. In particular, 55 developed osteoporosis, 31 had fragility fractures; 27 developed arterial hypertension; 11 diabetes mellitus; 9 acute myocardial infarction; 3 stroke; and 2 peripheral arterial disease. Univariate analysis showed that the duration of GC treatment was significantly associated with osteoporosis (p < 0.0001), fragility fractures (p < 0.0001), arterial hypertension (p < 0.005), and acute myocardial infarction (p < 0.05). Cumulative GC dose was significantly associated with osteoporosis (p < 0.0001), fragility fractures (p < 0.0001), and arterial hypertension (p < 0.01). The adverse events occurred more frequently after 2 years of treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that GC duration was significantly associated with osteoporosis (adjusted OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.02–1.05) and arterial hypertension (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06); GC cumulative dose was significantly associated with fragility fractures (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.03–1.8). Conclusion Longterm, low-dose GC treatment of PMR is associated with serious adverse events such as osteoporosis, fractures, and arterial hypertension; these adverse events occur mostly after 2 years of treatment.