Miloslavsky et al evaluated significant adverse risk effects of glucocorticoid therapy. The authors are from multiple institutions in North America and Europe.
Adverse effects considered:
(1) weight gain, with major increase in BMI
(2) glucose intolerance or diabetes with risk for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy
(3) hypertension with risk for hypertensive emergency
(4) posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
(5) osteopenia or osteoporosis with risk of fracture
(6) steroid myopathy
(7) skin toxicity
(8) neuropsychiatric behaviors including psychosis and violence
(9) infection
(10) adrenal insufficiency
(11) bowel perforation
(12) peptic ulcer disease
(13) avascular necrosis
(14) tendon rupture
(15) central serous retinopathy
(16) elevation of intraocular pressure
(17) hyperlipidemia and risk of cardiovascular disease
