title: Corticoid-associated complications in elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Corticosteroids are widely prescribed products in the elderly particularly in systemic diseases. Corticosteroids were indispensable in controlling a variety of disease states. Various complications associated with this drug class warrant caution and monitoring with each formulation especially with old population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency and type of side effects and complications of long-term corticosteroid therapy in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study of 23 patients aged 65 and older hospitalized in the internal medicine department of the Habib Thameur hospital during January 2000 to December 2004. Corticoid adverse effects were recorded throughout the follow up period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are 20 women and 3 men aged 66 to 87 years with a mean age of 75.7 years. The diagnoses were 8 cases of temporal arteritis, 7 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 3 cases of multiple myeloma, 2 scleroderma, 1 case of systemic lupus erythematosus, 1 case of retroperitoneal fibrosis and 1 case of psoriatic arthritis. We selected 66 complications. Infectious complications were found in 26 cases (39.3%), 11 cases (16.7%) of iatrogenic diabetes, arterial hypertension in 9 cases (13%), skeletal complications in both cases,psychiatric complications in two cases, ophthalmologic complications in one case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite lifestyle rules and adjunctive therapy, complications seem to be frequent. To minimize the disadvantages of prolonged corticosteroid treatment, regular monitoring and careful screening is imperative for the support and time.
authors.affiliation: Hopital Habib Thameur.
authors.forename: Besma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ben Dhaou
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boussema
authors.forename: Zohra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Aydi
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baili
authors.forename: Hedi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tira
authors.forename: Ouahida
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cherif
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rokbani
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents