Prednisolone maintenance dose in relation to starting dose in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis - A prospective two-yearstudy in 273 patients

Objective. To describe the maintenance dose and annual cessation rate of or al corticosteroids in relation to the starting dose in patients with polymy algia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA). Methods. A prospective two-years observational study of 273 patients with P MR and TA followed by rheumatologists. Results. Mean daily, maintenance dose of prednisolone during the first and second year was 5.7 mg and 4.3 mg fbr PMR, 6.6 mg and 4.1 mg for TA, and 8. 3 mg and 4.7 mg for PM R with TA. There was a strong association between th e initial dose and maintenance dose. The rate of steroid cessation after tw o years in PMR was 24%, in TA 16%, and in PMR with TA 5%. Conclusion. Low initial dose of prednisolone is associated with low mainten ance dose. This is important as the majority of patients with PMR and TA wi ll be treated for more than two years.