title: Corticosteroids in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease.
abstract: Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy for many gastrointestinal conditions. We are now starting to understand their mechanism of action and the phenomenon of corticosteroid resistance. Because of the ubiquity of corticosteroid receptors in virtually all cells of the body, side effects of therapy are common and may affect multiple body sites. Newer corticosteroid analogues are being developed to minimize these complications, and concomitant use of other immunomodulatory drugs often facilitates corticosteroid dosage reduction or even withdrawal in chronic inflammatory states.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hyams
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones