[The most frequent complications during long-term corticotherapy]

In 274 outpatients with chronic spastic bronchitis long-term treatment with corticosteroids was used due to their clinical condition. In patients treated for 6 years with daily doses of 1-2 mg of prednisolone no corticosteroid-induced complications were observed. Transient ecchymoses occurred in patients treated for longer time periods with prednisolone 4 mg daily. In 12.5% of patients pityriasis versicolor developed, and muscle weakness was the complaint in 3.1% of cases. In patients treated with 6 mg daily of prednisolone petechiae were noted in 35% of cases, in 10% subcutaneous tissue atrophy, in 2.5% osteoporosis was observed, and menstruation disturbances were reported in 25% of the treated women. In patients receiving prednisolone 8 mg daily subcutaneous extravasations developed in 80% of cases, skin atrophy in 50%, myopathy in 25%, crural thrombophlebitis in 5%, cushingoid features in 7.5%. In patients receiving prednisolone 12 mg daily, besides the above complications, fractures occurred in 14.2% of cases, and psychotic symptoms in 7%.