First author, year [ref.] | High OCS A | Medium OCS B | Low OCS C | No OCS D | Side-effect | Comparison | OR (95% CI) | p-value | Comment |
Bone and muscle complications | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Bone, muscle | A versus D | 2.42 (2.29–2.55) | Sig. | The category muscle and bone includes avascular necrosis, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, back pain and fractures | ||
B versus D | 2.28 (2.16–2.40) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.36 (1.16–1.59) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Bone, muscle | A versus C | 1.59 (1.29–1.96) | Sig. | The category muscle and bone includes avascular necrosis, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, back pain and fractures | |
B versus C | 1.51 (1.25–1.82) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Bone, muscle | A versus D | 1.89 (1.68–2.12) | Sig. | The category muscle and bone includes avascular necrosis, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, back pain and fractures |
B versus D | 1.72 (1.55–1.92) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.09 (0.94–1.26) | ns | |||||||
Daugherty, 2018 [25] | 35 424 | 24 994 | Osteoporosis | A versus D | 12.61# (10.45–15.21) | <0.0001 | |||
B versus D | 6.79# (5.98–7.73) | <0.0001 | |||||||
C versus D | 1.64# (1.51–1.78) | <0.0001 | |||||||
Zazzali, 2015 [26] | 3604 | 3604 | Osteoporosis | A versus D | 1.83 (1.50–2.25) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Fractures | A versus D | 1.50 (1.11–2.04) | 0.0099 | ||||||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Osteoporosis | A versus C | 1.73 (1.21–2.41) | 0.0035 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Fractures | A versus C | 1.63 (1.22–2.14) | 0.0015 | ||||||
Adrenal complications | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Adrenal complications | A versus D | 40.67 (15.12–109.35) | Sig. | The category adrenal includes Cushing's syndrome | ||
B versus D | 20.95 (7.62–57.63) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 3.87 (0.93–16.06) | ns | |||||||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Poisoning by adrenal corticosteroids | A versus C | 12.38 (5.36–28.86) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Cardiovascular system | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Cardiovascular | A versus D | 1.73 (1.57–1.90) | Sig. | The category cardiovascular includes atrial fibrillation, flutter, hypertension, and myocardial infarction | ||
B versus D | 1.77 (1.62–1.93) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.21 (0.90–1.62) | ns | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Cardiovascular | A versus C | 1.96 (1.48–2.58) | Sig. | The category cardiovascular includes atrial fibrillation, flutter, hypertension, and myocardial infarction | |
B versus C | 2.12 (1.63–2.76) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Cardiovascular | A versus D | 2.06 (1.76–2.41) | Sig. | The category cardiovascular includes atrial fibrillation, flutter, hypertension, and myocardial infarction |
B versus D | 2.23 (1.93–2.59) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.14 (0.87–1.48) | ns | |||||||
Daugherty, 2018 [25] | 35 424 | 24 994 | Myocardial infarction | A versus D | 2.15# (1.67–2.77) | <0.0001 | |||
B+C versus D | 1.25# (1.09–1.43) | 0.0012 | |||||||
Stroke | A-C versus D | 1.11# (0.97–1.27) | 0.1253 | ||||||
Zazzali, 2015 [26] | 3604 | 3604 | Hypertension | A versus D | 1.29 (1.17–1.42) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Hypertension | A versus C | 1.49 (1.28–1.73) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Metabolic complications | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Metabolic | A versus D | 1.35 (1.25–1.45) | Sig. | The category other includes hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome | ||
B versus D | 1.32 (1.23–1.41) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 0.87 (0.72–1.07) | ns | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Metabolic | A versus C | 1.51 (1.23–1.85) | Sig. | The category other includes hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome | |
B versus C | 1.50 (1.25–1.81) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Metabolic | A versus D | 1.55 (1.37–1.75) | Sig. | The category other includes hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome |
B versus D | 1.56 (1.38–1.76) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.17 (0.98–1.40) | Sig. | |||||||
Zazzali, 2015 [26] | 3604 | 3604 | Diabetes mellitus | A versus D | 1.30 (1.18–1.44) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Obesity | A versus D | 1.17 (1.04–1.32) | 0.0124 | ||||||
Lipid disorders | A versus D | 0.80 (0.73–0.88) | <0.0001 | ||||||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Diabetes | A versus C | 1.12 (0.89–1.39) | 0.3403 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Eye diseases | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Ocular | A versus D | 1.19 (1.11–1.28) | Sig. | The category ocular includes cataracts and glaucoma | ||
B versus D | 1.09 (1.02–1.17) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 0.95 (0.84–1.08) | ns | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Ocular | A versus C | 1.55 (1.32–1.83) | Sig. | The category ocular includes cataracts and glaucoma | |
B versus C | 1.29 (1.09–1.51) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Ocular | A versus D | 2.02 (1.78–2.29) | Sig. | The category ocular includes cataracts and glaucoma |
B versus D | 1.63 (1.43–1.87) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.33 (1.14–1.54) | Sig. | |||||||
Daugherty, 2018 [25] | 35 424 | 24 994 | Cataracts | A versus D | 3.38# (2.41–4.73) | <0.0001 | |||
B versus D | 1.76# (1.52–2.04) | <0.0001 | |||||||
C versus D | 1.07# (1.00–1.15) | 0.052 | |||||||
Zazzali, 2015 [26] | 3604 | 3604 | Glaucoma | A versus D | 1.25 (0.99–1.58) | 0.0673 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Cataracts | A versus D | 1.29 (1.06–1.57) | 0.0117 | ||||||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Glaucoma | A versus C | 1.38 (0.86–2.12) | 0.1560 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Cataracts | A versus C | 1.42 (1.02–1.93) | 0.0417 | ||||||
Psychiatric disorders | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Psychiatric | A versus D | 1.74 (1.62–1.86) | Sig. | The category psychiatric includes bipolar disorder, depression, sleep disturbances and steroid psychosis | ||
B versus D | 1.73 (1.62–1.86) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.16 (0.95–1.41) | ns | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Psychiatric | A versus C | 1.28 (1.03–1.60) | Sig. | The category psychiatric includes bipolar disorder, depression, sleep disturbances and steroid psychosis | |
B versus C | 1.35 (1.10–1.66) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Psychiatric | A versus D | 1.46 (1.28–1.66) | Sig. | The category psychiatric includes bipolar disorder, depression, sleep disturbances and steroid psychosis |
B versus D | 1.62 (1.42–1.84) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.40 (1.16–1.70) | Sig. | |||||||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Depression | A versus C | 1.07 (0.85–1.32) | 0.5713 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Anxiety | A versus C | 1.64 (1.33–2.00) | <0.0001 | ||||||
Infections | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Infections | A versus D | 2.43 (2.17–2.71) | Sig. | The category infections includes fungal infections, pneumonia, sepsis, tuberculosis, urinary tract infection, varicella infection and bursitis | ||
B versus D | 2.25 (2.11–2.40) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.70 (1.34–2.16) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Infections | A versus C | 1.91 (1.51–2.43) | Sig. | The category infections includes fungal infections, pneumonia, sepsis, tuberculosis, urinary tract infection, varicella infection and bursitis | |
B versus C | 1.72 (1.37–2.16) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Infections | A versus D | 2.94 (2.61–3.33) | Sig. | The category infections includes fungal infections, pneumonia, sepsis, tuberculosis, urinary tract infection, varicella infection and bursitis |
B versus D | 2.53 (2.27–2.82) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.56 (1.34–1.81) | Sig. | |||||||
Zazzali, 2015 [26] | 3604 | 3604 | Opportunistic infections | A versus D | 4.16 (2.34–8.00) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Pneumonia | A versus D | 3.22 (2.84–3.66) | <0.0001 | ||||||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Infections | A versus C | 1.64 (1.38–1.95) | <0.0001 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Gastrointestinal complications | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Gastrointestinal | A versus D | 1.96 (1.84–2.10) | Sig. | The category gastrointestinal includes nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeds, ulcers and dyspepsia | ||
B versus D | 2.02 (1.89–2.15) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.18 (0.98–1.41) | ns | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Gastrointestinal | A versus C | 1.81 (1.46–2.24) | Sig. | The category gastrointestinal includes nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeds, ulcers and dyspepsia | |
B versus C | 1.63 (1.34–1.99) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Gastrointestinal | A versus D | 2.55 (2.28–2.84) | Sig. | The category gastrointestinal includes nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeds, ulcers and dyspepsia |
B versus D | 2.31 (2.08–2.56) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.50 (1.28–1.76) | Sig. | |||||||
Daugherty, 2018 [25] | 35 424 | 24 994 | Peptic ulcer | A-C versus D | 1.13# (1.00–1.28) | 0.0486 | |||
Zazzali, 2015 [26] | 3604 | 3604 | Peptic ulcer | A versus D | 1.14 (0.40–3.32) | 1 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Zeiger, 2017 [27] | 782 | 8764 | Ulcer disease | A versus C | 3.62 (1.30–8.66) | 0.0136 | The odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values presented in this review were calculated by the SmartStep Data Institute | ||
Various | |||||||||
Dalal, 2016 [23] | 12 697 | 12 697 | Skin disease | A versus D | 1.66 (1.51–1.83) | Sig. | The category skin disease includes bruising, impaired wound healing, striae and skin thinning | ||
B versus D | 1.42 (1.28–1.57) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.37 (1.18–1.59) | Sig. | |||||||
Other | A versus D | 1.82 (1.61–2.05) | Sig. | The category other includes bladder cancer, epistaxis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | |||||
B versus D | 1.77 (1.56–2.00) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.13 (0.88–1.46) | ns | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2015 [24] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | Other | A versus C | 1.23 (0.95–1.60) | ns | The category other includes bladder cancer, epistaxis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | |
B versus C | 1.36 (1.07–1.73) | Sig. | |||||||
Lefebvre, 2017 [22] | 1630 | 1630 | 368 | 26 987 | Haematology/oncology | A versus D | 1.69 (1.35–2.12) | Sig. | The category haematology/oncology includes bladder cancer, epistaxis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
B versus D | 1.96 (1.59–2.41) | Sig. | |||||||
C versus D | 1.58 (1.24–2.01) | Sig. |
Data are presented as n, unless otherwise stated. OCS: oral corticosteroids; sig.: significant; ns: nonsignificant. #: hazard ratio (95% CI).