There is little evidence to support this treatment method for osteoarthritis. Studies of its use for fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis report mixed results. Concerns over the use of this therapy include suppression of the immune system (which could make you vulnerable to infection) and loss of bone density. However, one study found that bone mineral density (BMD) was not significantly reduced by low-dose prednisone in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, although hip BMD was reduced in postmenopausal women. Talk with your physician about other, more reliable, and less costly treatment options.
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