The role of corticosteroids for pain relief in persistent pain of inflammatory arthritis: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective. To conduct a systematic review of the available literature addressing the effectiveness, safety, and role of corticosteroids for pain relief in persistent pain of inflammatory arthritis (IA), as part of the international 3e (Evidence, Expertise, Exchange) Initiative. Methods. A systematic literature research (SLR) was carried out in Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism meeting abstracts, searching for studies evaluating the use of steroids for the treatment of residual pain in IA despite adequate antiinflammatory therapy. Results. Of 3887 references retrieved by SLR, 2 randomized controlled studies and 35 review articles underwent full-text review. No article was found to adequately address the research question. Conclusion. No data on the efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids in residual pain in IA could be identified from the literature. The Journal of Rheumatology Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.