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. 2013 Aug 15;9(1):30.
doi: 10.1186/1710-1492-9-30.

A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy

Dora Liu  1 , Alexandra Ahmet, Leanne Ward, Preetha Krishnamoorthy, Efrem D Mandelcorn, Richard Leigh, Jacques P Brown, Albert Cohen, Harold Kim
Affiliations

A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy

Dora Liu et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. .

Abstract

Systemic corticosteroids play an integral role in the management of many inflammatory and immunologic conditions, but these agents are also associated with serious risks. Osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, Cushing's syndrome, psychiatric disturbances and immunosuppression are among the more serious side effects noted with systemic corticosteroid therapy, particularly when used at high doses for prolonged periods. This comprehensive article reviews these adverse events and provides practical recommendations for their prevention and management based on both current literature and the clinical experience of the authors.

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