Table 2.
Summary of glucocorticoid use in patients with GCA by study cohort
| Glucocorticoid use | US cohort (N = 4804) | UK cohort (N = 3973)a |
|---|---|---|
| Daily starting dose of first GC after index | (n = 4804) | (n = 278)b |
| Mean (SD) (mg) | 47 (35) | 24 (17) |
| Median (IQR) (mg) | 50 (25–60) | 20 (10–40) |
| Range (mg) | 0.11–800 | 1–100 |
| Cumulative GC dose 52 weeks after index | (n = 4804) | (n = 3973) |
| Mean (SD) (mg) | 5577 (4985) | 4432 (2792) |
| Median (IQR) (mg) | 4800 (2700–7317) | 4000 (2380–5930) |
| Range (mg) | 10–140,600 | 48–28,050 |
| Patients on 0 mg/day at 52 weeks (n (%))c | 1810 (47) | 1631 (41.1) |
| Cumulative GC dose from index to end of study | (n = 4804) | (n = 3973) |
| Mean (SD) (mg) | 8685.9 (8500.7) | 9620.3 (8497.5) |
| Median (IQR) (mg) | 6750 (3600–11,173) | 7233 (3790–13,025) |
| Range (mg) | 10–156,200 | 61–77,225 |
| Total supply of GC in days from index to end of follow-up (mean (median)) | 485 (338) | 1405 (1175) |
| Patients with GC fills after 52 weeks (n (%)) | 3650 (76) | 3185 (80) |
| Among patients continuing to receive GC after 52 weeks | (n = 3650) | (n = 3185) |
| Length of treatment from index to end of follow-up (mean (SD) (days)) | 600 (510) | 1660 (1170) |
| Median (IQR) (days) | 441 (282–749) | 1324 (775–2247) |
| Range (days) | 17–4309 | 18–6748 |
GC glucocorticoid, IQR interquartile range
aOnly prednisolone prescriptions were included in the analysis of UK patients; 1.2% of UK patients had prescriptions for other glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone was prescribed for 0.05%)
bOnly patients with complete information on dosage instructions were included in the starting dose calculation
cOnly patients who had a fill during week 26 or 56 were included; patients could be excluded if they tapered to 0 mg/day or were still on glucocorticoids but their prescription fill was not during week 26 or week 52