Effectiveness and safety study of oral triamcinolone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in India

Effectiveness and safety study of oral triamcinolone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in India: Nilesh Patil



International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences 2020 9(1):14-20



INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral triamcinolone (Kenacort®, Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd) in combination with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with an established diagnosis of RA, on a stable dose of DMARDs for at least 6-weeks, with evidence of disease flare-up or insufficient response to DMARDs were enrolled. Effectiveness of triamcinolone (4 mg) on disease activity (Disease Activity Score-28 [DAS28]), severity (Visual Analog Scale) and duration of morning stiffness, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), patient global assessment of disease activity (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index [HAQ-DI]), quality of life (RAND 36-Item Health Survey score [SF-36]), and safety at 6 and 12 weeks of treatment were assessed.

RESULTS: About 98.3% of patients completed the study (119/121; female: 64.5%). A significant improvement in DAS28 score was evident at weeks 6 and 12 compared to baseline (baseline: mean [standard deviation (SD)]: 6.6 (0.9); week 6: mean (SD): 5.5 (0.9); 95% confidence interval difference (CI): −1.3 to −1.0; P < 0.001; week 12: mean [SD]:4.7 [0.7]; 95% CI difference: −2.1 to −1.8; P < 0.001). Severity and duration of morning stiffness also improved significantly at the end of 6 and 12 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). Substantial improvement in TJC, SJC, HAQ-DI score, and RAND 36-Item score was also evident (P < 0.001). Commonly reported adverse events were gastroesophageal reflux disease (3.3%), headache (3.3%), and fever (2.5%), which were mild and resolved subsequently.

CONCLUSION: Low-dose triamcinolone with DMARDs was effective and well-tolerated in Indian patients with RA and in those with evidence of disease flare-up or insufficient response to DMARDs.