Prevalence rates of corticosteroid-induced morbidity and comparisons between cohorts in the BTS Registry
| Disease/adverse event | Severe corticosteroid-
dependent asthma (442) n (%) | Severe non-
corticosteroid-dependent asthma (328) n (%) | OR (95% CI)* | OR (95% CI)† | OR (95% CI)‡ | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endocrine disorder | ||||||
| IDDM | 2 (0.5) | 1 (0.3) | – | – | – | 1.00 |
| NIDDM | 64 (14) | 15 (5) | 3.55 (1.98 to 6.35) | 3.50 (1.94 to 6.24) | 3.48 (1.94 to 6.26) | <0.001 |
| Cardiac disease | ||||||
| Hypertension | 98 (22) | 49 (15) | 1.61 (1.11 to 2.36) | 1.59 (1.07 to 2.36) | 1.59 (1.07 to 2.37) | 0.012 |
| Cardiovascular disease | 27 (6) | 25 (8) | 0.78 (0.44 to 1.37) | 0.74 (0.41 to 1.33) | 0.71 (0.39 to 1.30) | 0.41 |
| Hypercholesterolaemia | 76 (17) | 24 (7) | 2.61 (1.60 to 4.23) | 2.64 (1.60 to 4.37) | 2.59 (1.57 to 4.30) | <0.001 |
| Osteoporosis and bone disease | ||||||
| Osteoporosis | 57/319 (18) | 18/122 (15) | 1.26 (0.71 to 2.24) | 1.27 (0.71 to 2.28) | 1.21 (0.67 to 2.17) | 0.44 |
| Osteopenia | 117/319 (37) | 39/122 (32) | 1.22 (0.78 to 1.90) | 1.23 (0.79 to 1.92) | 1.15 (0.73 to 1.81) | 0.36 |
| Fracture | 13 (3) | 1 (0.3) | – | – | – | 0.007 |
| Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) | 237 (54) | 147 (45) | 1.43 (1.07 to 1.91) | 1.41 (1.06 to 1.88) | 1.47 (1.10 to 1.97) | 0.016 |
| Weight gain | 55 (12) | 3 (1) | – | – | – | <0.001 |
| Sleep disorders | ||||||
| Sleep disturbance | 18 (4) | 2 (1) | – | – | – | 0.003 |
| Obstructive sleep apnoea | 51 (12) | 13 (4) | 3.14 (1.68 to 5.89) | 3.07 (1.64 to 5.77) | 2.80 (1.48 to 5.29) | <0.001 |
| Eye disease | ||||||
| Cataracts | 25 (6) | 0 (0) | – | – | – | 0.002 |
| Glaucoma | 8 (2) | 6 (2) | 0.97 (0.33 to 2.83) | 0.93 (0.31 to 2.74) | 0.83 (0.28 to 2.50) | 0.98 |
| Dyspeptic disorders | 283 (64) | 157 (48) | 2.00 (1.49 to 2.68) | 1.94 (1.44 to 2.61) | 1.96 (1.45 to 2.64) | <0.001 |
| Psychiatric disorders | ||||||
| Depression/anxiety/low mood | 125 (28) | 46 (14) | 2.36 (1.62 to 3.44) | 2.39 (1.64 to 3.49) | 2.57 (1.76 to 3.76) | <0.001 |
| Skin conditions | 16 (4) | 1 (0.3) | – | – | – | 0.002 |
| Corticosteroid-related diseases | ||||||
| Cushingoid symptoms | 27 (6) | 1 (0.3) | – | – | – | <0.001 |
| Adrenal insufficiency | 12 (3) | 1 (0.3) | – | – | – | 0.010 |
| Corticosteroid-induced proximal myopathy | 1 (0.2) | 0 | – | – | – | 1.00 |
*OR adjusted for hospital.
†OR adjusted for age.
‡OR adjusted for gender.
BMI, body mass index; BTS, British Thoracic Society; IDDM, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; NIDDM, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.