Advances in the role of steroids in rheumatoid arthritis

Steroids have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis(RA), especially glucocorticoids and sex hormones, exhibit powerful and rapid therapeutic effects. The relationship between the steroids and inflammatory cytokine, immune response, nuclear receptors, as well as the safety and efficacy of RA treatment, were introduced in this review. Meanwhile, the possible mechanism of glucocorticoids and sex hormones therapy were discussed. The potential relevance of steroids to RA was also discussed to better use steroids in the treatment of RA and to provide references for future research.