Miler E, Stapleton PP, Mapplebeck S, et al. - Newly diagnosed patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) who were randomized to modified-release prednisone (MR) vs immediate-release prednisolone (IR) used in a tapering regimen conforming to British Society for Rheumatology GCA guidelines, were examined for serial interleukin (IL)-6 levels. Randomization of 12 patients was done (7 MR, 5 IR) and follow-up over 26 weeks was performed. As per findings, MR prednisone led to better suppression of elevated levels of IL-6 in new GCA when compared with IR prednisolone. Both treatment arms displayed a significant reduction in collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide. This suggests an early metabolic effect of glucocorticoids on bone. MR prednisone led to adrenocorticotropic hormone suppression reflecting a greater impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis although there was no effect on cortisol.