Describe the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids?
Glucocorticoid effect on leukocytes?
Glucocorticoid effect on other cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes)?
glucocorticoid effects of acquired immunity?
If on chronic glucocorticoid therapy - what vaccines are CI?
MMR, varicella, small pox
What are you at increased risk for if on glucocorticoids? How does duration of therapy change this?
Major SEs assoc w/ glucocorticoid therapy?
generally time and dose dependent:
Glucocorticoid actions on the bones?
- decreased osteoblastic activity - decreased bone formation
What should you monitor regularly for pts on chronic steroids?
Pros of steroids?
- generally give good sx relief for pain secondary to inflammation
What should be used for short term sx management in RA?
- withdrawal once DMARDs have taken effect
Fxn of NSAIDs in RA?
- don’t prevent irreversible jt damage
Fxn of glucocorticoids in RA?
Use of DMARDs and success in RA?
Nonbiological DMARDs?
Biological DMARDs?
What should you do if there is failure to achieve remission in 3 months on DMARD therapy?
- or go to combo therapy
How long does it take DMARD to be maximally effective?
Drug choice is dependent on what factors in RA (DMARDs)?
DMARD of choice for initial tx of RA?
MOA of methotrexate? What needs to be supplemented?
CIs and dosing of methotrexate?
SEs of methotrexate?
Toxicity of methotrexate? What monitoring is done?
monitoring: q 1-2 months
- CBC
- LFTs
- albumin
- Cr
- pre tx CXR