Adverse event risk up for >90 days versus >30 days of corticosteroids for eczema

Use of oral corticosteroids for >90 days during one year is associated with a slightly increased risk of adverse events (AEs), according to a study published online July 19 in JAMA Network Open.

Yong Hyun Jang, M.D., Ph.D., from Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea, and colleagues examined the association between long-term exposure to oral corticosteroids and occurrence of 11 AEs among adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Analysis included 164,809 cases and 328,303 controls.

The researchers found that 3.4% of cases and 3.2% of controls were exposed to oral corticosteroids for >30 days, while 0.4% in both groups were exposed to oral corticosteroids for >90 days. There was no increased risk of AEs with use of oral corticosteroids for >30 days (adjusted odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 1.04).

However, the risk was higher with use of oral corticosteroids for >90 days (adjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.23). For each cumulative or consecutive year of ever long-term use, there was a small elevation of risk for experiencing an AE.

“This study suggests that for patients with exacerbations of atopic dermatitis, limiting the duration of oral corticosteroid treatment to 90 days or less may limit adverse effects,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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