Search strings were developed utilizing the PICOS mnemonic:
Population: early (or methotrexate-naïve) RA - Intervention: systemic GCs - Comparator: any - Outcome: any - Study design: observational cohort study
(Rheumatoid[Title] OR Arthritis, Rheumatoid[MeSh:NoExp])
AND (early[title/abstract] OR naïve[title/abstract])
AND (Cortison*[title/abstract] OR Predniso*[title/abstract] OR Cortico*[title/abstract] OR Glucocort*[title/abstract] OR Steroid*[title/abstract] OR Glucocorticoids[MeSh:NoExp])
AND (Cohort[Title/Abstract] OR Longitudinal[Title/Abstract] OR Prospective[Title/Abstract] OR Registry[Title/Abstract] OR Longitudinal Studies[Mesh:NoExp] OR Cohort Studies[Mesh:NoExp] OR Registries[Mesh:NoExp])
AND 2005/01/01:2021/01/01[dp]
NOT (random*[Title] OR randomized controlled trial[pt])
NOT (review[Title] or review[pt])