Prednisone use was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a recent study. Researchers evaluated data from 5,626 patients with RA, followed for up to 25 years, and determined the risk of death associated with prednisone use alone and with combined treatment with an antirheumatic drug. They found:

• During follow up (median 4.97 years), 666 patients (11.8%) died.

• In a multivariate, propensity-adjusted model, prednisone use was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.83).

• However, there was a significant interaction between prednisone use in combination with an antirheumatic drug, so that risk was attenuated when patients were treated with both medications.

• Combination treatment also weakened the protective association of the second drug with mortality.

Citation: Wasko MC, Dasgupta A, Sears GI, Fries, JF, Ward, MW. Prednisone use and risk of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Moderation by use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. [Published online ahead of print April 27, 2016]. Arthritis Care Res. doi:10.1002/acr.22722.