SP0011 Long-Term Glucocorticoid Use and The Skin
Authors: J.W. Jacobs
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2016)

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are frequently and often chronically used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other immune diseases and vasculitis. An estimated 0.8–1.2% of the population in developed countries at any moment in time uses GCs.<sup>1,2</sup> EULAR guidelines state that the adverse effects (AEs) of GC therapy should be considered and discussed with the patient before treatment is initiated.<sup>3</sup> However, reliable quantitative data on cutaneous AEs are lacking.<sup>4</sup> <h3>Methods</h3> We performed a study to assess the occurrence of cutaneous AEs of GCs and its association with current and cumulative GC-doses. This cross-sectional study was performed at the outpatient departments of the Charité University Medicine Berlin and the University Medical Center Utrecht; 381 RA-patients were included. Patients were classed into 4 groups, according their mean daily dose during the past 12 months: 0 mg (n=87), &lt;5mg (n=108), 5–7.5 mg (n=130), and &gt;7.5 mg (n=56) of prednisolone equivalent. Cushingoid appearance, ecchymosis, stretch marks, steroid acne, perioral dermatitis, hirsutism, and scalp hair loss were assessed by physical examination using a predefined scoring system, and by patients9 self-assessments. Easy bruising, skin atrophy, and impaired wound healing were patients9 self-assessed reports. Data were analyzed according GC dose categories and cumulative doses. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 381 patients, 76% was female; 67% was rheumatoid factor positive and 55% had erosive joint disease. The median (quartiles) disease duration was 9 (4–17) years. The mean number of lifetime conventional synthetic DMARDs used was 2.6 and for biological DMARDs it was 1.0. The median (quartiles) total duration of GC use was 4.0 (1.5–10) years, and the mean (sd) cumulative dose was 14 (17) g. Cushingoid habitus, easy bruising, skin atrophy, and impaired wound healing as reported by patients occurred significantly more frequent in those using GC the past 12 months, compared to those not using GC, see figure. At physicians9 assessments, only Cushingoid habitus and ecchymosis were more prevalent in GC-users, see figure. The prevalence of these AEs was statistically significantly positively associated with current and cumulative GC dose. There was a low occurrence of abnormal stretch marks, acne, perioral dermatitis, alopecia, and hirsutism in our study, and there were no correlations between these AEs and GC therapy. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Cushingoid habitus, easy bruising, skin atrophy, impairment of wound healing, and ecchymosis are AEs of GC which can be observed relatively frequently in clinical daily practice. They are GC dose-dependent (current and cumulative dose). At the lower GC doses used in RA, abnormal stretch marks, acne, perioral dermatitis, alopecia, and hirsutism are rare AEs of GC. <h3>References</h3> Overman RA, Yeh JY, Deal CL. Prevalence of oral glucocorticoid usage in the United States: a general population perspective. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2013; 65: 294–8. Fardet L, Petersen I, Nazareth I. Prevalence of long-term oral glucocorticoid prescriptions in UK over the past 20 years. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2011. van der Goes MC, Jacobs JW, Boers M, et al. Patient and rheumatologist perspectives on glucocorticoids: an exercise to improve the implementation of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations on the management of systemic glucocorticoid therapy in rheumatic diseases. Ann Rheum Dis 2010; 69: 1015–21. da Silva JAP, Jacobs JWG, Kirwan JR, et al. Safety of low dose glucocorticoid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: published evidence and prospective trial data. Ann Rheum Dis 2006; 65: 285–93. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared