The impact of long-term systemic glucocorticoid use in severe asthma: A UK retrospective cohort analysis

Systemic glucocorticoids (SGCs) are a treatment option for severe asthma but are associated with the development of adverse events (AEs). Evidence on the extent of SGC use and the relationship between SGC dose and AE risk in severe asthma is limited.

Patients with severe asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma step 4/5), with no SGC use during the <6-12 months before severe asthma determination (index date) were identified in the UK-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink database (2004-2012). Patients were assessed for SGC exposure and an incident diagnosis of an SGC-related AE (cataracts, diabetes, myocardial infarction [MI], osteoporosis, peptic ulcer or stroke) during the 8-year observation phase. The dose-related risk of an SGC-related AE was determined using AE-specific Cox proportional hazards models.

Overall, 75% of 60,418 patients identified with severe asthma received SGC during the 8-year follow-up, with the majority receiving an average of >0-≤2.5 mg/day. The risk of diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]:1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11, 1.30]), MI (HR: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.43]) and osteoporosis (HR: 1.64 [95% CI: 1.51, 1.78]) was increased at low SGC doses (0-2.5 mg/day), with further risk increases at doses >2.5 mg/day versus no SGC use. Compared with no SGC use, SGC increased the risk of peptic ulcer in a non-dose-dependent manner, but the risk of stroke was unchanged.

Most patients with severe asthma are exposed to SGC, which increases SGC-related AE risk. This suggests that SGC exposure should be minimized as recommended by asthma treatment guidelines.