Department of Rheumatology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2013 Jul-Aug;31(4 Suppl 78):S86-92. Epub 2013 Oct 4.
Glucocorticoids are highly effective in treating polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis, but their use is associated with numerous adverse events. Therefore, it is important to use them for the shortest period of time possible. The published evidence suggests that discontinuation of GC is feasible in a substantial number of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis after an adequate period of treatment, provided that glucocorticoids are tapered gradually. Recurrences are relatively infrequent in polymyalgia rheumatica and somewhat more common in giant cell arteritis. Immunosuppressive agents may be used in patients with frequently relapsing or recurring disease to decrease exposure to glucocorticoids.
糖皮质激素在治疗多发性肌痛和巨细胞动脉炎方面非常有效，但它们的使用与许多不良反应有关。因此，重要的是尽可能在最短的时间内使用它们。已发表的证据表明，在充分治疗后，相当多的多发性肌痛和巨细胞动脉炎患者可以在逐渐减少糖皮质激素剂量的情况下停止使用 GC。多发性肌痛的复发相对较少，而巨细胞动脉炎的复发则更为常见。对于经常复发或反复发作的疾病患者，可以使用免疫抑制剂来减少糖皮质激素的暴露。
