Series on pharmacology in practice. 9. Glucocorticoids in rheumatic disease.

Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents that play an important role in the therapy of many patients with connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia rheumatica, various types of vasculitis, and complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Glucocorticoids reduce the number and influence the function of lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils in peripheral blood. Prolonged high doses of glucocorticoids result in decreased levels of immunoglobulins, particularly IgG. Granulocytes are increased in the peripheral blood, but their migration to sites of inflammation is diminished. Glucocorticoids inhibit release of lysosomal enzymes. Although they have no effect on the factor or factors that initiate inflammation, glucocorticoids have proved to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory manifestations of disease. Among significant adverse effects of glucocorticoid therapy are osteoporosis, aseptic necrosis of bone, and steroid myopathy.