title: A prospective survey of the use of dexamethasone on a palliative care unit.
abstract: One hundred and six consecutive patients started on glucocorticosteroids (steroids) according to a defined prescription policy were surveyed each week to document the indications for use, any beneficial effect, any toxicity incurred and the reason for stopping. All patients had advanced malignant disease and survived for a median of 40.5 days (range 1-398+ days) from the start of steroid treatment. Fifty-seven per cent of patients completed three or more assessments. The most common specific indications for starting steroids were spinal cord compression, cerebral metastases, lymphangitis carcinomatosa and intestinal obstruction. The most common non-specific indications were anorexia, nausea, low mood, pain and vomiting. The median duration of steroid use was 21.5 days (range 1-89 days). The most common reason for the discontinuation of steroids was death or deteriorating condition. Symptom scores improved at some stage for the majority of patients started on steroids for anorexia, nausea, pain, low mood, vomiting and weakness but not in patients complaining of dyspnoea or poor mobility. The most common side-effects that were most probably attributable to steroid therapy were oral candidosis and proximal myopathy. The benefits of steroids when used according to defined guidelines were thought to outweigh toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK. janet.hardy@rmh.nthames.nhs.uk
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feuer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Broadley
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004739:England; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000932:Antiemetics; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone