Even short term use of oral steroids (less than 30 days) linked to increased risk of severe infection (sepsis), blood clots and fracture

One in five American adults in a commercially insured plan were given prescriptions for short term use of oral corticosteroids during a three year period, with an associated increased risk of adverse events. Of 1.5 million adults, 21% received at least 1 prescription for oral corticosteroids over 3 period.The most commonindications for use were:- upper respiratory tract infections- spinal conditions- allergies.Within 30 days of drug initiation, there wasan increase in rates of:- sepsis- venous thromboembolism- fractureRisk over the subsequent 31 –90 days.The increased risk persisted at prednisone equivalent doses of less than 20 mg/day.References:Short Term Use of Oral Corticosteroids and Related Harmshttp://buff.ly/2pI5qDY Posted atClinical Cases and Images. Stay updated andsubscribe, follow us onTwitter and connect onFacebook.
Source: Clinical Cases and Images - Blog - Category: Universities & Medical Training Tags: Allergy Infectious Diseases Pulmonology Source Type: blogs