Steroid research

[LJhome]

I think that a vital question was missed from this research questionnaire and that is length of time taking steroids as surely cause and effect linked to this and dosage?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm not sure what you are referring to since your post is out of context, but the usual criterion for effect of steroids is the accumulated dose with time. I.e. a lower dose over a long period is thought to have much the same effect in the long term as a shorter course at a higher dose.

On the other hand - the questionnaire may have wanted merely to establish how long patients had had PMR and required pred for it. Many doctors try to tell patients that they'll be off pred in a couple of years because that is how long PMR lasts - most of us have been on pred well over 2 years and a period of 4 - 6 years is far more likely for at least half of patients, a quarter may manage to get off pred in 2 years but are felt to be at a higher risk of relapse later, requiring a second course of pred. The rest of us take even longer than 6 years. These figures from a US review article some years ago fit with my experiences on 3 different forums - only a relatively small number are done and dusted in 2 years.

[LJhome in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry wasn't the research questionnaire part of this web site? I have cleared my inbox so cannot refer back to its source. The questionnaire I completed was looking at side effects of prednisalone and I feel that surely these must relate to dose etc? With regard to how long a person had had PMR this was also not part of the questionnaire.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LJhome]

Possibly, probably - but I hadn't seen one recently! All I have is a new thread with your post.

But as I said - it has been felt that a lot of the side effects relate to cumulative dose. There's no doubt thought that some of the side effects are far more likely to appear at a higher dose but some people react to pred and develop side effects at low doses while others never have such problem at a high dose.

For example - I've never developed any pred-related euphoria whatever dose I was on but my GP seemed to expect it even at 5mg. I felt great the first week I took 15mg - but it wasn't pred euphoria - it was the relief of pain and being able to move again that made me feel good!

Depends who developed the questionnaire - it is well known in market research that you get the answer you want if you ask the question in the right way!