A retrospective study of 8,384 patients with RA currently or previously treated with oral glucocorticoids has found a correlation between use of these agents and myocardial infarction (MI). The risk of MI was greatest for those currently taking glucocorticoids (HR 1.68), but cumulative duration of use also increased the risk (HR 1.29 per year of use). Higher daily dose, either current or cumulative, was also associated with increased risk of MI (HR 1.10 per gram accumulated in the past; HR 1.24 for each 5 mg per day increase in current use).
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Aviña-Zubieta, J. A. et al. Immediate and past cumulative effects of oral glucocorticoids on the risk of acute myocardial infarction in rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based study. Rheumatology (Oxford) doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kes353
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Glucocorticoids increase the risk of myocardial infarction. Nat Rev Rheumatol 9, 64 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.231
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.231