Adverse effects of corticosteroid therapy in lupus

The anti-inflammatory properties of corticosteroids have a long history in medical practice. In fact, these synthetic hormones have never ceased to make their mark in several medical and surgical specialities thanks to their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions, to the point where general corticosteroid therapy is now one of the most widespread therapies in the world. 1]In a department of internal medicine, corticosteroids are the first-line therapy and the mainstay of treatment for most chronic inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a non-organ-specific autoimmune disease that can be life-threatening. Corticosteroid therapy is a fundamental means of treating relapses of SLE. Despite the many beneficial effects of these molecules, their use is limited as far as possible because of their side effects. Corticosteroid therapy can give rise to potentially serious metabolic, infectious and osteoarticular complications.