Quality of Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: the Role of Steroid Assessment Tool (SAT) - a Review

Abstract

Corticosteroids have an important role in induction of remission in inflammatory bowel disease, but they are not an indicated for maintenance treatment as they are associated with many side effects. Despite new effi cient therapeutic options for maintaining remission, there is an excess in prescribing steroids in inflammatory bowel disease. Corticosteroid use was evaluated in international cohorts given that steroid free remission and avoiding serious side-effects of corticosteroids is a desirable goal. We discuss the role and the evidences on a secure web-based steroid assessment tool (SAT) which can be used as an instrument of evaluation of corticosteroid use, a quality indicator in inflammatory bowel disease.