CORTICOSTEROID COMPLICATIONS IN RESPIRATORY-DISEASE

  • 1 May 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (5) , 326-330
Abstract
Complications observed in 51 patients receiving corticosteroids for greater than 1 year for asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases were compared retrospectively with 31 control patients who had never been on corticosteroids. The prevalence of Cushingoid features (P < .005), ocular complications (cataracts and glaucoma, P < .025), and skeletal complications (compression fractures of vertebrae, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, and osteopenia, P < .005) in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group, as was the prevalence of total complications (P < .005). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serious ocular and skeletal complications were directly proportional to the total lifetime dosage of corticosteroids. The high toxicity of steroid therapy should give further impetus to the formulation of ways to reduce or avoid steroid complications.