Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY TO EVALUATE THE ADVERSE DRUG REACTION DURING CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Dr. S. Karthikeyan*, Dr. V. Akilandeswari, Dr. Vasanth. S, Dr. Elavarasi. P

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Corticosteroids plays an important role in the management of inflammatory disease, autoimmune disorders and tissue transplantation. It produces many adverse reactions. We planned a study to evaluate the adverse drug reaction following corticosteroid therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY:100 corticosteroids treated patients were enrolled, in that 75 patients were from Rheumatology OPD and rest from dermatology OPD who were taking corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis and chronic eczema for more than 6 months, patient aged between 15 -70 years diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis and eczema on oral and topical corticosteroid treatment for more than 6 months were included in the study. RESULTS: Most common adverse effects in oral corticosteroid population were 46.7% with hypertension, 24% with hyperglycemia, 16% with cushingoid feature were observed with causality score 7, 13.3% with peptic ulcer disease and the causality score was 6. In topical corticosteroid population 60% with hyperglycemia, 40% with cushingoid feature, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease were not reported. This indicates oral and topical corticosteroids were the probable cause of these adverse events. CONCLUSION: In our study we found that the most common adverse effects of oral and topical corticosteroids, were more for those who take these preparation for more than six months. The most common adverse effects observed in oral corticosteroid preparations was hypertension followed by hyperglycemia, cushingoid feature & peptic ulcer disease. For topical corticosteroid preparation the most common adverse effects were hyperglycemia followed by cushingoid feature.

Keywords: Adverse drug reaction, corticosteroid, cushingoid feature, hyperglycemia, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis.