Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease. Systemic corticosteroids have been the mainstay and first-line treatment with success. However, longterm use of corticosteroids results in significant morbidities and mortalities. Much effort has been focused on searching alternative or corticosteroids-sparing agents. Rituximab (MabTheraTM; Roche, Basle, Switzerland), a chimeric ant...

OBJECTIVE To appraise the data on systemic adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS A computerized database search from January 1, 1966, through July 31, 1998, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and BIDS and using appropriate indexed terms. Reports dealing with the systemic effects of inhaled corticosteroids on adrenal gland, growth, bone, skin, and eye, and reports on pharmacology and pharmac...

BACKGROUND Antibiotic and oral corticosteroid prescribing rate in patients suffering from acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma in general practice are only sparsely described. Our aim was to identify predictors for such prescribing when results from CRP testing, spirometry, and pulse oximetry are available. METHODS Patients aged 40 years or more diagno...

BACKGROUND The liver is the most commonly involved internal organ in drug-induced systemic hypersensitivity. However, data obtained from these patients have yet to be analyzed in depth with respect to liver injury. METHODS The medical records of 136 patients who developed delayed-type drug hypersensitivity were reviewed at a tertiary referral hospital. Culprit drugs, the pattern and degree of...

The incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease are increasing, particularly in the Western world and Asia. Corticosteroids have been used for decades to treat active Crohn's disease and remain the mainstay in the management of moderate-to-severe relapses in Crohn's disease. The use of corticosteroids, despite their efficacy, may be associated with several drawbacks. This review article provide...

The treatment of croup has changed considerably over the last 25 years with the liberalisation of the use of systemic corticosteroids for mild to moderate croup. The administration of corticosteroids in croup has reduced the severity of the condition, dramatically reduced the need for endotracheal intubation, shortened the duration of intubation, reduced the length of hospital stay, reduced the...

QUESTION A child recently presented to my office with lower limb petechiae, arthralgia, and abdominal pain characteristic of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). Will systemic corticosteroids help relieve these symptoms and prevent potential HSP complications such as intussusception and nephritis? ANSWER Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a common and self-limiting disease in children. Current evidence d...

INTRODUCTION In systemic sclerosis (SSc) little evidence for the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy exists. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which SSc patients are treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. METHODS Data on duration and dosage of corticosteroids and on the type of immunosuppressive agent were analyzed from...