Adverse effects of oral corticosteroids in relation to dose in patients with lung disease

• DOI: 10.1136/thorax.56.4.279
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T10:38:40Z
• Authors: L J Walsh
• Keywords: Male; Prednisolone; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Respiratory System; 610; Administration, Oral; Fractures, Bone; 03 medical and health sciences; Dosage; 0302 clinical medicine; Rheumatoid-arthritis; Oral corticosteroids; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Glucocorticoids; Aged; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Adverse effects; Middle Aged; Asthma; 3. Good health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Osteoporosis; Spinal Fractures; Female; Fractures

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> The adverse effects of oral corticosteroids are widely recognised but there few quantitative data on which to base advice patients. In a two part cross sectional study we compared in patients with lung disease taking and control subjects related the corticosteroid dose patient group. <h3>METHODS</h3> Data use, lifestyle, fractures, other possible were collected by questionnaire between community based cohort continuous or frequent intermittent for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alveolitis age sex matched subjects. Dose explored group using cumulative quartiles multiple logistic regression. <h3>RESULTS</h3> A total 367 (⩾50 years, 48% female) 734 completed questionnaire. incidence fractures since time diagnosis was 23% 15% (odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3 2.6). Patients more likely have had fracture vertebrae (OR 10; CI 2.9 34), hip 6; 1.2 30), ribs sternum 3.2, 1.6 6.6) than They also reported significant increase cataracts, use antacids, muscle weakness, back pain, bruising, candidiasis, having fewer teeth. related: odds highest lowest quartile (median prednisolone 61 g versus 5 g) ranged from 2 all 9 vertebral bruising. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> By quantifying morbidity associated corticosteroids, this should help rationalise their long term use.