Table 1.
Summary of clinical studies estimating steroid prescription prevalence
| References | Study population | GC type and use | GCs prescription | Sex/age prevalence | Most prescribed GCs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Einarsdottir et al, Clin End, 2020 (8) | Western Sweden population, 1,585,335 adults (56% W); (2007-2014) | Oral GCs (>5 mg of prednisolone) Short/mid/long-term users |
Overall 14.1%. - Short-term users 7.5% - Mid-term users 1.8% - Long-term users 0.5% |
Highest prevalence in men aged >80 (24.4%) Lowest prevalence in men aged 10-19 years (7.5%) |
Betamethasone (53.8%) Prednisolone (45%) |
| Waljee et al, BMJ, 2017 (9) | US population (<64 years), 1,548,945 adults (51% W); (2012-2014) | Oral GCs Only short-term (<30 days) users |
Overall 21.1% | Prescriptions increase with age | Methylprednisolone (47%) |
| Laugesen et al, BMJ Open 2017 (4) | All the Danish population; (1999-2015) | Oral/injected GCs Short/long-term users |
Annual prevalence 3% Elderly, up to 10% |
Increased prevalence in women (OR 1.11) and throughout age: Aged 40-64, OR 10*; Aged >80, OR 25*. *When compared to age below 19 |
Prednisolone (50%) |
| Laugensen et al, EJE 2019 (3) | Danish population, 926,314 GCs users (54% W); (1999-2014) | Oral/injected GCs | Annual prevalence 3% Reduced prescription (6%) from 1999 to 2014 (increased use of targeted treatments) |
Higher prevalence in women. Aged 70-79, 7%; Aged >80, 11%; |
Prednisolone (53%) |
| Fardet et al, Rheumatology, 2011 (5) | UK population > 4 million adults (59% W); (1989-2008) | Oral GCs Long-term (>3 months) users |
Overall 8.5%; Increased prescription (34%) from 1989 to 2009 | Lower prescription (0.08%) in men aged 18-29; Higher prescription (3%) in women aged >80. | Prednisolone (92%) |
| Overman et al, Arthritis Care Res, 2013 (2) | US population, 26,248 adults (53% W), (1999-2008) | Oral GCs Short- term users (35%) Long-term users (65%, GCs received >3 months) |
- Overall 1.2% | Men aged >80 prevalence 3.5% Women aged 70-79 prevalence 2.7% |
Prednisolone (77%) |
| Bénard-Laribière et al, BMJ Open 2017 (6) | French population 382,572 adults (58% W); (2007-2014) | Oral GCs Short-term users (1 prescription, 68%); Mid-term users (2-5 prescriptions, 30%); Long-term users (>6 prescriptions, 2%) |
Overall 17.1%. - Short-term users 11.8% - Mid-term users 4.6% - Long-term users 0.7% |
Higher prevalence in women aged 50-59 years (21.9%) | Prednisolone (16%) |
| Walsh et al, BMJ, 1996 (7) | UK population 65,786 adults (52% W); 1995 | Oral GCs, long-term users (>3 months) | Overall 0.5% | Higher prevalence in women aged >55 years (1.7%) | Prednisolone (97%) |
| Van Staa et al, QJM, 2000 (1) | UK population, 244,235 GC-users; 1997 | Oral GCs, Short-term users (78%) Long-term users (22%, GCs prescribed >6 months). |
Overall 0.9% | No differences between sexes; Prescriptions increase with age: highest in patients aged 70-79 (2.5%); lowest in patients aged 20-29 (0.2%) | Prednisolone (91%) |
Abbreviations: GC, glucocorticoid; OR, odds ratio; W women.