Randomized double-blind study of the effect of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone pulse in the control of rheumatoid arthritis flare-up: a preliminary study

Abstract

Aim The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone for pulse therapy of rheumatoid arthritis flare-up. Methods This randomized double-blind controlled study was performed in the Emam Reza Educational Hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Thirty rheumatoid arthritis patients who had severely active disease were recruited to the dexamethasone and methylprednisolone pulse groups. Disease activity of all the patients was measured by the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) at baseline, and days 4 and 30. Results The differences in the DAS28 at days 4 and 30, and the number of patients whose DAS28 obtained less than 3.2 and 2.6 in the dexamethasone and methylprednisolone groups were non-significant. There was not any significant difference between the adverse effects of the treatments in the two groups. Conclusions The results of the study suggest that dexamethasone pulse therapy is a safe and effective treatment for severe rheumatoid arthritis flare-up.