Corticosteroids in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases.

As understanding of the role of endogenous corticosteroid production by the adrenal glands in rheumatologic diseases has increased, attempts to refine their use in accordance with this knowledge have been reported. Similarly, as understanding of the induction of bone loss by corticosteroids increases, trials of agents designed to antagonize these actions are reported. The lack of large-scale comparative studies means that the optimal method of use of corticosteroids and the optimal antiresorptive protocols have yet to be defined.