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Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Curtis, JR; Westfall, AO; Allison, J; Bijlsma, JW; Freeman, A; George, V; Kovac, SH; Spettell, CM; Saag, KG
Published in: Arthritis Rheum
June 15, 2006

OBJECTIVE: The frequency of many adverse events (AEs) associated with low-dose glucocorticoid use is unclear. We sought to determine the prevalence of glucocorticoid-associated AEs in a large US managed care population. METHODS: Using linked administrative and pharmacy claims, adults receiving >or=60 days of glucocorticoids were identified. These individuals were surveyed about glucocorticoid use and symptoms of 8 AEs commonly attributed to glucocorticoid use. RESULTS: Of the 6,517 eligible glucocorticoid users identified, 2,446 (38%) returned the mailed survey. Respondents were 29% men with a mean +/- SD age of 53 +/- 14 years; 79% were white and 13% were African American. Respondents had a mean +/- SD of 7 +/- 3 comorbid conditions and were prescribed a mean +/- SD prednisone-equivalent dosage of 16 +/- 14 mg/day. More than 90% of individuals reported at least 1 AE associated with glucocorticoid use; 55% reported that at least 1 AE was very bothersome. Weight gain was the most common self-reported AE (70% of the individuals), cataracts (15%) and fractures (12%) were among the most serious. After multivariable adjustment, all AEs demonstrated a strong dose-dependent association with cumulative glucocorticoid use. Among users of low-dose therapy (

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Published In

Arthritis Rheum

DOI

ISSN

0004-3591

Publication Date

June 15, 2006

Volume

55

Issue

3

Start / End Page

420 / 426

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Prevalence
  • Population Surveillance
  • Middle Aged
  • Managed Care Programs
  • Male
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Humans
  • Glucocorticoids
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Curtis, J. R., Westfall, A. O., Allison, J., Bijlsma, J. W., Freeman, A., George, V., … Saag, K. G. (2006). Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use. Arthritis Rheum, 55(3), 420–426. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.21984
Curtis, Jeffrey R., Andrew O. Westfall, Jeroan Allison, Johannes W. Bijlsma, Allison Freeman, Varghese George, Stacey H. Kovac, Claire M. Spettell, and Kenneth G. Saag. “Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use.Arthritis Rheum 55, no. 3 (June 15, 2006): 420–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.21984.
Curtis JR, Westfall AO, Allison J, Bijlsma JW, Freeman A, George V, et al. Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Jun 15;55(3):420–6.
Curtis, Jeffrey R., et al. “Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use.Arthritis Rheum, vol. 55, no. 3, June 2006, pp. 420–26. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/art.21984.
Curtis JR, Westfall AO, Allison J, Bijlsma JW, Freeman A, George V, Kovac SH, Spettell CM, Saag KG. Population-based assessment of adverse events associated with long-term glucocorticoid use. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Jun 15;55(3):420–426.
Journal cover image

Published In

Arthritis Rheum

DOI

ISSN

0004-3591

Publication Date

June 15, 2006

Volume

55

Issue

3

Start / End Page

420 / 426

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Prevalence
  • Population Surveillance
  • Middle Aged
  • Managed Care Programs
  • Male
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Humans
  • Glucocorticoids