Med Central reports that just over 90% of people living with lupus are using oral steroids as treatment, according to a recent World Lupus Federation survey, however, 96% of respondents reported concerns about the long-term effects of steroid use. The survey included more than 7,700 people with lupus out of which the majority were women between 45-64 years of age from more than 100 countries.

“Steroids are unique in our armamentarium against lupus or other autoimmune diseases because they work promptly, and they are very powerful in suppressing inflammation and autoimmunity,” said Kyriakos A. Kirou, MD, DSc, FACP, rheumatologist at HSS. 

However, added Dr. Kirou, “because they have significant adverse effects, we try to minimize their use.”

Potential side effects of steroids include weight gain, lipodystrophy, glucose intolerance (especially in diabetics), secondary adrenal insufficiency, increased risk for infections, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, glaucoma, cataracts, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, irritability, mood changes, or even psychosis, according to Dr. Kirou.

Read the full article at medcentral.com.