Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India
Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory steroid medications prescribed globally by doctors for various illnesses and they are known to produce quick symptom relief. In India, they are among the cheapest and easily accessible over-the-counter medications. Thus, it can be misused, lead...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2022;volume=26;issue=3;spage=234;epage=238;aulast=Mulavelil |
| _version_ | 1797995722347380736 |
|---|---|
| author | Rachel Mulavelil Philip Finny Alice David Preethy S Samuel Lois J Armstrong |
| author_facet | Rachel Mulavelil Philip Finny Alice David Preethy S Samuel Lois J Armstrong |
| author_sort | Rachel Mulavelil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory steroid medications prescribed globally by doctors for various illnesses and they are known to produce quick symptom relief. In India, they are among the cheapest and easily accessible over-the-counter medications. Thus, it can be misused, leading to many life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, overwhelming infections, Cushing's syndrome, and hypo-adrenal crisis. Objective: This study reports the misuse of GCs in a rural community in the state of Kerala, India, and compares it with the only other community GC misuse study in India, from the state of Bihar. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey of 452 households comprising 1,734 people was conducted in rural Konni, Kerala, during June and July of 2019. In each house, people who had been taking medications over the previous 6 months were interviewed. Results: Almost 2% (n = 31) had consumed one or more GCs in the last 6 months (95% CI: 1.3–2.5%). Of these, 26% (n = 8) were taking oral GCs and 36% (n = 11) of them were inappropriately using them based on current clinical guidelines. 29% (n = 9) had used GCs for more than 1 month. Conclusions: GC misuse exists in Kerala but not to the extent seen in Bihar. In Kerala, inhaled GCs are more common than oral GCs, and the prescription is obtained predominantly from qualified medical practitioners. The prevalence of prolonged GC use could be implicated as an underlying factor for diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and cataracts. It is possible that approximately 220,000 people in Kerala may have a suppressed hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis which can predispose them to a fatal hypo-adrenal crisis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:06:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48167e9b3a1c48d597f05e7754f025c0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2230-8210 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:06:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism |
| spelling | doaj.art-48167e9b3a1c48d597f05e7754f025c02022-12-22T04:30:14ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism2230-82102022-01-0126323423810.4103/ijem.ijem_430_21Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, IndiaRachel MulavelilPhilip FinnyAlice DavidPreethy S SamuelLois J ArmstrongBackground: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory steroid medications prescribed globally by doctors for various illnesses and they are known to produce quick symptom relief. In India, they are among the cheapest and easily accessible over-the-counter medications. Thus, it can be misused, leading to many life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, overwhelming infections, Cushing's syndrome, and hypo-adrenal crisis. Objective: This study reports the misuse of GCs in a rural community in the state of Kerala, India, and compares it with the only other community GC misuse study in India, from the state of Bihar. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey of 452 households comprising 1,734 people was conducted in rural Konni, Kerala, during June and July of 2019. In each house, people who had been taking medications over the previous 6 months were interviewed. Results: Almost 2% (n = 31) had consumed one or more GCs in the last 6 months (95% CI: 1.3–2.5%). Of these, 26% (n = 8) were taking oral GCs and 36% (n = 11) of them were inappropriately using them based on current clinical guidelines. 29% (n = 9) had used GCs for more than 1 month. Conclusions: GC misuse exists in Kerala but not to the extent seen in Bihar. In Kerala, inhaled GCs are more common than oral GCs, and the prescription is obtained predominantly from qualified medical practitioners. The prevalence of prolonged GC use could be implicated as an underlying factor for diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and cataracts. It is possible that approximately 220,000 people in Kerala may have a suppressed hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis which can predispose them to a fatal hypo-adrenal crisis.http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2022;volume=26;issue=3;spage=234;epage=238;aulast=Mulavelilcorticosteroid misuseglucocorticoid useindiakeralasteroid abuse |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Mulavelil Philip Finny Alice David Preethy S Samuel Lois J Armstrong Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism corticosteroid misuse glucocorticoid use india kerala steroid abuse |
| title | Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India |
| title_full | Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India |
| title_fullStr | Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India |
| title_short | Glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of Kerala, India |
| title_sort | glucocorticoid use and misuse in a rural community of kerala india |
| topic | corticosteroid misuse glucocorticoid use india kerala steroid abuse |
| url | http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2022;volume=26;issue=3;spage=234;epage=238;aulast=Mulavelil |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rachelmulavelil glucocorticoiduseandmisuseinaruralcommunityofkeralaindia AT philipfinny glucocorticoiduseandmisuseinaruralcommunityofkeralaindia AT alicedavid glucocorticoiduseandmisuseinaruralcommunityofkeralaindia AT preethyssamuel glucocorticoiduseandmisuseinaruralcommunityofkeralaindia AT loisjarmstrong glucocorticoiduseandmisuseinaruralcommunityofkeralaindia |