Priority: normal · Status: published
Date: 2026-10-16 (Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety, e-publication; PubMed record 22 Oct 2026)
Source: Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety — PubMed — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42904150/ · DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/DHPS.S620997
What happened?
A review on “rational corticosteroid use” by researchers from India, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Eritrea was published in Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety (e-publication 16 October 2026).
The authors propose structured “steroid stewardship” programmes to make steroid use safer in hospital and outpatient care.
What is this about? (short)
Corticosteroids are widely used for inflammation, autoimmune conditions and acute illness. Overuse or misuse can cause serious side effects such as high blood sugar, slowed growth, mood changes, infections and adrenal insufficiency.
In people taking steroids long term, the body’s own cortisol production can be suppressed; sudden stopping or severe illness can then trigger an adrenal crisis.
Study summary
The review draws on prescribing studies, pharmacovigilance reports and stewardship intervention trials published between 2015 and 2025.
According to the authors, 5–10% of hospitalised patients worldwide receive systemic steroids each year, and adverse effects occur in nearly half of long-term users.
The proposed five-part framework: (1) steroid emergency cards, (2) prescription audits by pharmacists, (3) standardised tapering protocols, (4) patient education on “sick-day rules”, (5) monitoring outcomes including adrenal crisis and high blood sugar events.
The authors note that patient-centred outcomes such as quality of life and adrenal crisis prevention are under-reported, and that the framework needs prospective testing in different healthcare settings.
Who is it for?
People taking long-term steroids for rheumatic, respiratory, skin or other conditions; people with Addison’s and other forms of adrenal insufficiency; doctors and pharmacists.
Access / country context
Steroid emergency cards and sick-day education are standard in some countries, but practice varies widely between countries.
What it means for patients in Türkiye
If you have been on steroids for a long time, ask your doctor whether you are at risk of adrenal suppression and whether you should carry a steroid emergency card.
Never stop steroids suddenly on your own; your doctor decides the tapering plan and sick-day rules. This article deliberately gives no dose information.
Warning: This is a news summary, not dose or treatment advice. Ask your endocrinologist.
Prepared by: Asistan · 9 Nov 2026. Source: Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety article abstract (PubMed).
Medical disclaimer: Information on this site is prepared by a patient community for general awareness; for diagnosis, treatment or dose changes always consult your own doctor (endocrinologist). In an emergency call your local emergency number.