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Objective. Long-term oral glucocorticoid (GC) use is associated with increased mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is excess mortality among oral GC users, regardless of the underlying disease. Methods. This was a retrospective case-control study. Information on dispensed prescriptions was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Patients receiving ≥5 mg prednisolone (or equivalent dose of other GC) daily for ≥21 days between 2007-2014 were included. For each patient, a control person, matched for age and sex, was included. The cause of death was obtained from the Swedish Cause-of-Death Registry. Hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was calculated by using Cox proportional hazard model and by the log-rank test. The GC users were divided into four groups according to the length of GC treatment: 1) single-occasion users 2) occasional users ( 300 tablets/year for ≤ 2 consecutive years); and 4) long-term users (>300 tablets/year for > 2 consecutive years). Results. Of 1,585,335 inhabitants in Western Sweden, 223,211 GC users (women 55.6%) were identified for the analysis. The mean age was 48 ± 24 years. Median follow-up time was 3.6 years for GC users and 3.9 years for matched controls. The overall HR for death in oral GC users was 2.26 (95% CI 2.21-2.31). After exclusion of patients with malignant neoplasm, the HR for death was 1.41 (95% CI 1.38-1.45); 1.33 (95% CI 1.27-1.38) in single-occasion GC users (n=112,196), 1.36 (95% CI 1.30-1.42) in occasional users (n=63,862), 1.89 (95% CI 1.79-1.99) in medium-term users (n=19,129) and 1.67 (95% CI 1.51-1.84) in long-term users (n=7,191). The highest HRs were observed for deaths from heart failure (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.63-1.80), sepsis (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.51-1.94), and pulmonary embolism (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.58-2.21). Conclusion. GC users have excess mortality compared to the background population. This illustrates the importance of surveillance for patients on oral GC treatment where adverse effects should be monitored and, when indicated, appropriately treated.

Objective Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a cornerstone in treating various common and uncommon diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of GC use in terms of doses associated with risk of tertiary adrenal insufficiency in adults and children, and treatment indications. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. Information on dispensed prescriptions was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Patients with prescriptions of prednisolone (or equivalent dose of other GCs) ≥5 mg daily for ≥21 days between 2007 and 2014 were included. Information on concurrent diseases was obtained from the Swedish National Patient Register and the Vastra Gotaland Regional Healthcare Database. Results Of 1 585 335 inhabitants in Vastra Gotaland County, 223 211 were included in the study (women 55.6%). Mean age was 48 ± 24 years. Period prevalence of oral GC use during the 8-year study period was 14.1%. The highest prevalence (27.4%) was in men aged 80-89 years and lowest (7.5%) in men 10-19 years of age. The period prevalence in children 0-9 years of age was 10.6%. COPD and asthma were the most common indications for treatment (17.2%) followed by allergy (12.5%) and malignant neoplasms (11.5%). Allergy was the most frequent indication (20.5%) in children and adolescents. Conclusion Between 2007 and 2014, every seventh inhabitant in western Sweden received a GC prescription at doses associated with risk of developing tertiary adrenal insufficiency. These findings illustrate the importance of awareness of the potential development of tertiary adrenal insufficiency in both paediatric and adult patients.

Objective: Glucocorticoid (GC) treatment suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which may lead to tertiary adrenal insufficiency. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of tertiary adrenal insufficiency among patients with oral lichen planus treated with topical GC (clobetasol propionate) in the oral cavity, a standard treatment option for this condition. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 24 patients with oral lichen planus receiving long-term (> 6 weeks) clobetasol propionate treatment. Adrenal function was assessed by measuring serum cortisol between 8–9 AM, after a withdrawal of treatment for 48 hours. For patients with serum cortisol concentrations below 280 nmol/L (10 µg/dL), a 250 µg corticotropin stimulation test was performed. Results: Twenty patients had normal serum cortisol concentrations (range 280–621 nmol/L), whereas four patients had low serum cortisol concentrations (13, 45, 63, and 229 nmol/L, respectively). A corticotropin stimulation test revealed partial adrenal insufficiency in two patients (serum cortisol peak level 350 nmol/L and 360 nmol/L) and severe adrenal insufficiency in another two patients (serum cortisol peak level 150 nmol/L and 210 nmol/L). Conclusion: In this small study, approximately 20% of patients receiving chronic topical GCs treatment for oral lichen planus had tertiary adrenal insufficiency. It is essential to be aware of this potential risk and to inform patients about the need for GC stress-doses during an intercurrent illness episode.