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2026№7

Long-term systemic glucocorticoid use: What should a general practitioner consider?

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/therapy.2026.7.162-170

M.V. Masko

Vitebsk State Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
Abstract. Glucocorticoids are important medications in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system due to their rapid and potent anti-inflammatory effects. However, long-term glucocorticoid use is associated with well-recognized risks, leading to an international consensus that glucocorticoids should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration, and then discontinued when clinically feasible. Current guidelines recommend short-term use of glucocorticoids at the lowest effective dose, often made possible by concomitant use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or immunosuppressants. However, data from real clinical practice indicate that chronic glucocorticoid therapy remains common. This review summarizes current recommendations, highlights the gap between guidelines and clinical practice, and discusses the adverse effects of glucocorticoids and the need for their monitoring, the possibilities of measuring cumulative toxicity, and the role of the general practitioner in overcoming the difficulties in the use of these drugs.

Keywords

sarcopenia
inflammatory bowel diseases
biomarkers of sarcopenia
outpatient monitoring
Full text (in Russian)

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About the Authors

Marharyta V. Masko, MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), professor of the Department of general medical practice, Vitebsk State Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus.
Е-mail: margovolkova@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8572-9252

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