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Individuals taking steroid tablets for more than 3 months are over 6 times more likely to be diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency than those treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to research. In addition, they have a greater risk of being hospitalized for adrenal insufficiency, while long-term users of inhaled steroids have an increased risk of developing adrenal insufficiency but without any increase in the number of hospitalizations. Steroids, also called corticosteroids, are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat various conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies, arthritis and autoimmune diseases. When taking these widely-prescribed medicines, such as prednisolone,...

A study shows that compared with standard care that included low-dose corticosteroid use, treating hypoxic COVID-19 patients needing only oxygen therapy or no breathing support with higher-dose corticosteroids is associated with a 60% increased risk of death. This study had already identified that low-dose corticosteroids reduce mortality for patients with COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilatory support. However, in May 2022, the independent Data Monitoring Committee advised that this treatment assessment be stopped for those patients receiving oxygen alone or no breathing support. Eligible and consenting adult patients with COVID-19 and clinical evidence of hypoxia (i.e., receiving oxygen or with oxygen...

Vladimir Putin was said to be looking 'ashen and bloated' in a meeting today as the global condemnation of his invasion of Ukraine continued. In an image released by the Kremlin, the Russian president was seen in Moscow sitting with the Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov. The pair sat opposing each other across a desk in the Kremlin and viewers on social media picked up on the under-pressure Russian leader's apparently pale appearance. One said: 'Putin does not look well... he's ashen and bloated.' Another noted that he was sitting very close to Mr Beglov, despite the fact that...

LONDON (Reuters) - Treating critically ill COVID-19 patients with corticosteroid drugs reduces the risk of death by 20%, an analysis of seven international trials found on Wednesday, prompting the World Health Organisation to update its advice on treatment. The analysis - which pooled data from separate trials of low dose hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone - found that steroids improve survival rates of COVID-19 patients sick enough to be in intensive care in hospital. “This is equivalent to around 68% of (the sickest COVID-19) patients surviving after treatment with corticosteroids, compared to around 60% surviving in the absence of corticosteroids,” the...

While both inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) have been proven to help control mild-to-moderate persistent asthma in school-age children, a new study shows ICS may be the more effective treatment. Response Profiles to Fluticasone and Montelukast in Mild-to-Moderate Persistent Childhood Asthma is featured in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (JACI) and is currently available on the JACI's Web site at www.jacionline.org. The JACI is the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). The 16-week study was conducted as a multi-center, double-masked, 2-sequence crossover trial...