What is the primary role of corticosteroids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?

The primary role of corticosteroids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is to manage acute flares of the disease. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that can quickly reduce swelling, pain, and immune responses associated with rheumatoid arthritis exacerbations. They are particularly effective in providing rapid relief during periods of heightened disease activity when the inflammation and joint pain can be significantly debilitating.

While corticosteroids can have a role in long-term management, especially in patients who do not respond adequately to other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), their use for chronic management is often limited due to potential side effects associated with long-term therapies, such as osteoporosis, hypertension, and increased risk of infections.

Corticosteroids do not prevent infections; in fact, their immunosuppressive effects can increase the risk of infections. Moreover, while they can reduce inflammation, corticosteroids do not alter the underlying disease process or slow down disease progression as effectively as DMARDs do. Therefore, corticosteroids are primarily utilized to provide symptomatic relief during acute episodes rather than as a primary approach for long-term disease management or modification.