Glucocorticoid Use and Misuse in a Rural Community of Kerala, India
Authors
Rachel Mulavelil
Department of Population Neuroscience Research, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Texas, USA
Philip Finny
Department of Population Neuroscience Research, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Texas, USA
Alice David
Department of Endocrinology, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Kerala, India
Preethy Samuel
Department of Medical Research, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Kerala, India
Lois Armstrong
Department of Health Care Sciences (Occupational Therapy), Wayne State University, Michigan, USA
Keywords:
Corticosteroid misuse, glucocorticoid use, India, Kerala, steroid abuse
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Corticosteroid misuse, glucocorticoid use, India, Kerala, steroid abuse
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