A short course of corticosteroids is associated with a 1.8- to 2.4-fold increased risk for gastrointestinal bleeding, sepsis and heart failure within the first month after initiation, according to a large study from Taiwan.

Researcher Dr Tsung-Chieh Yao from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan, says oral steroid bursts are “not as risk-free as many clinicians thought previously”.

“Physicians who consider prescribing steroid bursts to their patients should weigh the benefits against the potential risks of these severe adverse events,” said Dr Yao.

“After initiating patients on oral steroid bursts, physicians should be on the lookout for these severe adverse events, particularly within the first month after steroid initiation.”