Management of complications of glucocorticoid therapy

Corticosteroids are commonly employed in the treatment of a wide variety of pulmonary disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and pulmonary vasculitides; as well as in the lung transplant population. Frequently, steroid-induced complications contribute significantly to morbidity and diminished quality of life, often overshadowing the impact of the underlying lung disease. This article will discuss the more commonly encountered complications of corticosteroids in the context of the method of delivery, events occurring with chronic use, and events related to withdrawal.