D McDougall1, A Bhibhatbhan, C Toth. 1. Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid therapy is known to have long-term adverse effects and complications, but our knowledge of the adverse effects of corticosteroids within a neuromuscular patient population is limited. AIMS OF THE STUDY: We sought to determine the prevalence and impact of corticosteroid use in a population of patients with neuromuscular diseases, as well as possible clinical associations for presence of adverse effects. METHODS: A retrospective chart review from a comprehensive database from a tertiary care neuromuscular clinic spanning 1988-2007 was performed. RESULTS: Corticosteroids led to adverse effects in 74% of exposed patients, without proper prophylaxis considered in about 50% of cases. There were no associations determined to have impact upon adverse effect occurrence, including the exposure to cumulative corticosteroid dosing or diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid therapy is frequently associated with adverse effects, although prediction of their occurrence is not clear. Prophylaxis of their occurrence is underperformed in our tertiary care clinic patient population.
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid therapy is known to have long-term adverse effects and complications, but our knowledge of the adverse effects of corticosteroids within a neuromuscular patient population is limited. AIMS OF THE STUDY: We sought to determine the prevalence and impact of corticosteroid use in a population of patients with neuromuscular diseases, as well as possible clinical associations for presence of adverse effects. METHODS: A retrospective chart review from a comprehensive database from a tertiary care neuromuscular clinic spanning 1988-2007 was performed. RESULTS: Corticosteroids led to adverse effects in 74% of exposed patients, without proper prophylaxis considered in about 50% of cases. There were no associations determined to have impact upon adverse effect occurrence, including the exposure to cumulative corticosteroid dosing or diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid therapy is frequently associated with adverse effects, although prediction of their occurrence is not clear. Prophylaxis of their occurrence is underperformed in our tertiary care clinic patient population.