Long-Term Glucocorticoid Use and The Skin

    June 2016 in “ Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ”
    J. W. G. Jacobs
    TLDR Long-term glucocorticoid use can cause skin problems like easy bruising and poor wound healing, especially at higher doses.
    The study assessed the cutaneous adverse effects (AEs) of glucocorticoids (GCs) in 381 rheumatoid arthritis patients, categorized by their mean daily GC dose over the past 12 months. The results showed that Cushingoid habitus, easy bruising, skin atrophy, impaired wound healing, and ecchymosis were significantly more frequent in GC users and were dose-dependent. However, abnormal stretch marks, acne, perioral dermatitis, alopecia, and hirsutism were rare and not correlated with GC therapy at the lower doses used in RA. The study highlighted the importance of considering these AEs in clinical practice.
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