Side Effects of Long - Term Glucocorticoid Therapy: Case Report

Abstract

Glucocorticoids are one of the most common classes of drugs used to treat a diverse variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Despite their effects, long-term therapy exposes patients to multiple side effects, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, adrenal insufficiency, osteoporosis and a high risk of infections. We present the case of a 61-year-old female with osteoporosis secondary to glucocorticoid therapy, adrenal insufficiency, new-onset diabetes mellitus and mixed dyslipidemia, manifestations that occurred as a result of self-administration of Medrol for one year. The patient presented to the hospital for thoracic back pain, being sent to the endocrinologist due to radiological changes suggestive of vertebral compressions.