Is there today a place for corticosteroids in the treatment of scleroderma?

Authors :: Blagojevic J
Legendre P
Matucci-Cerinic M
Mouthon L
Source :: Autoimmunity reviews [Autoimmun Rev] 2019 Dec; Vol. 18 (12), pp. 102403. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Oct 19.
Publication Year :: 2019
Abstract: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), the use of corticosteroids (CS) is controversial due to their association with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). However, patients with very early and early disease, characterised by main inflammatory component, may benefit from CS therapy. The aim of this review is to discuss pros and cons of CS treatment in SSc, providing current evidence about the use of CS in SSc. Moreover, we discuss also the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms that may be the background for the potential harms and efficacy of CS in SSc.<br /> (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)