Epidemiology

Studies in the area of rheumatic disease reported from D. Huscher and co-researchers

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"The clinical status and drug treatment were reported by the physician, health problems during the past 6 months by the patient using a comprehensive list of symptoms. with ongoing glucocorticoid treatment for more than 6 months and current doses of less than 5, 5-7.5 and over 7.5 mg/day prednisone equivalent were compared with a group without any glucocorticoid treatment for at least 12 months. The frequency of self-reported health problems was lowest in the group without glucocorticoid exposition and increased with dosage. Two distinct dose-related patterns of adverse events were observed. A ''linear'' rising with increasing dose was found for cushingoid phenotype, ecchymosis, leg oedema, mycosis, parchment-like skin, shortness of breath and sleep disturbance. A ''threshold pattern'' describing an elevated frequency of events beyond a certain threshold value was observed at dosages of over 7.5 mg/day for glaucoma, depression/listlessness and increase in blood pressure. Dosages of 5 mg/day or more were associated with epistaxis and weight gain. A very low threshold was seen for eye cataract (< 5 mg/day). The associations found are in agreement with biological mechanisms and clinical observations," wrote D. Huscher and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "As there is a paucity of real-life data on adverse effects of glucocorticoids prescribed to unselected groups of patients, these data may help the clinician to adapt therapy with glucocorticoids accordingly and improve the benefit-risk ratio."

Huscher and colleagues published their study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (Dose-related patterns of glucocorticoid-induced side effects. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2009;68(7):1119-1124).

For additional information, contact D. Huscher, German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin, Epidemiology Unit, Charite Pl 1, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.

Publisher contact information for the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases is: B M J Publishing Group, British Med Association House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England.

Keywords: Germany, Berlin, Life Sciences, Adverse Drug Event, Adverse Drug Effect, Adverse Drug Reaction, Therapy, Treatment, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatic Disease, Prednisone, Pharmaceuticals, Drugs.

This article was prepared by Immunotherapy Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Immunotherapy Weekly via NewsRx.com.