Developments in glucocorticoid therapy

Recent evidence for a disease-modifying potential of low-dose glucocorticoids (GCs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has renewed the debate on the risk benefit ratio with this therapy. Two recent developments are described that might have a positive influence on these risk benefit ratios. One is the improvement in new GC compounds-designer GCs, alterations in bioactivity, and alterations in formulations. The other is a better understanding and management of the toxicity of GCs.