Blog changes

Thanks to everyone who followed Training Because I Can! over the last nine years. This blog started with Addison's Disease, hypothyroidism and a crazy idea of doing an Ironman distance triathlon. My life has changed and so has this blog. I am using this blog strictly for Addison's Support topics from here on out. I hope to continue providing people with hints for living life well with adrenal insufficiency.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Steroids on an empty stomach...ulcers??

There's been a question of whether steroids on an empty stomach can cause ulcers. Great question Debbie! Here's what I've found. Emphasis is mine.

March 2004 Todd May, MD

Conn & Blitzer 1976
Meta-analysis of 26 prospective, double blind, placebo-controlled studies from 1950-75.
Results: No significant difference in ulcers overall steroid v. placebo (1.4% v. 1.0%)
However, there was association between steroids and ulcer when dosage exceeded 1000mg equivalent of Prednisone, duration of steroids >30d, or history of PUD
See Editorial: “Steroids and peptic ulcer: a myth demolished?”

Messer et al. 1983
Meta-analysis of 71 trials, including ½ not blinded, many not controlled, some not randomized, and counted vague terms like “severe dyspepsia” and “gastritis” as equivalent to peptic ulcer (see critique by Conn & Poynard)
Results: RR 2.3 for “ulcer” and RR 1.5 for bleeding with steroids
“This study strongly suggests that corticosteroids do increase the risk of peptic ulcers and GI hemorrhage.”
See Editorial: “Is the steroid ulcer a myth?”

Conn & Poynard 1984
A pointed critique detailing the flaws in the Messer meta-analysis
Estimates true NNH at ~1000
“From the clinical point of view, this controversy appears to be much ado about nothing.”

Piper et al 1991
Nested case-control study of elderly Medicaid patients admitted to hospital for UGIB
Results: RR 1.1 steroids only; RR 4.4 steroids + NSAIDs
No increased risk of ulcer with steroids unless used in combination with NSAIDs

Conn & Poynard 1994
A new and improved meta-analysis, addressing the flaws noted in the Messer analysis
Results: Incidence of ulcer: 0.3% placebo v. 0.4% steroid (not statistically significant)
There was a statistically significant increase in dermatologic effects, diabetes, hypertension, and psychosis, supporting the soundness of this analysis
See Editorial: “Steroids and peptic ulcer: an end to the controversy?” An even-handed discussion of the discrepant meta-analyses.
See ACP Journal Club: “Corticosteroids do not cause peptic ulcer”

Hernandez-Diaz & Rodriguez 2001
Nested case-control from UK research database using computerized prescribing data
Cases: admitted to hospital or referred to specialist with diagnosis of UGIB or “clinical diagnosis of bleeding peptic ulcer”
Results: OR 1.8 steroids only; OR 4.0 NSAIDs only; OR 8.9 Steroids + NSAIDs
NSAID/steroid interaction similar to the case-control study of Piper, but this study differs in the finding of an effect from steroid use alone
What are the data regarding prophylaxis against PUD during steroid use?

Camarri et al 1980
Double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study of 7 (count ‘em, seven) patients
Results: Concurrent use of Cimetidine reduced GI symptoms

SUMMARY
When ACTH and corticosteroids were first used in the early 1950s, anecdotal case reports noted an association between these drugs and peptic ulcers. And steroids frequently do cause GI symptoms (i.e., dyspepsia, “gastritis”) that may reinforce this assumption that they cause ulcers. Subsequently, the notion that corticosteroids cause peptic ulcers has been taught to generations of house officers (including many faculty). The emergence of H-2 blockers and PPIs has led to a further presumption that such ulcers can be prevented by their prophylactic use. But, do the data support these beliefs?
In formal studies of the topic, the association between corticosteroid treatment and peptic ulcer has been variously described as a myth, associated with about a two-fold risk, or present only when steroids are used concomitantly with NSAIDs. There is notable variability in the methodological design of the different studies and analyses. And there is variability in defining the outcomes (e.g., diagnosis of ulcer by endoscopy or roentgenogram v. clinical diagnosis, inclusion of vague diagnoses like severe dyspepsia, inconsistent documentation of complications such as bleeding, perforation, etc.)
The strongest data appear to be those generated from the meta-analysis of double blind, placebo-controlled studies. The analysis by Conn & Poyard seems to be the most methodologically sound. In this analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between steroids and placebo and importantly, the absolute difference was extremely small: about 1 excess case of ulcer would be expected for every 1000 patients treated with corticosteroids. To place in perspective, about 200 excess cases of ulcer and 1 death from ulcer would be expected among a similar number of chronic NSAID users (Cochrane database). The use of steroids concurrently with NSAIDs does enhance the risk of ulcer and complications, likely via impaired healing of NSAID-induced ulcers.
There are no data regarding the efficacy of the prophylactic use of H-2 blockers or PPIs in preventing ulcers among patients treated with corticosteroids, although they might reduce GI symptoms. Given the extremely low incidence of ulcers with steroid use and the unknown efficacy of prophylaxis, routine prophylaxis is not warranted.

BOTTOM LINE
Corticosteroids frequently cause GI symptoms. Corticosteroids may rarely cause peptic ulcer and they enhance the ulcer-producing effect of NSAIDs. The risk of ulcer in patients receiving steroids is increased for patients concurrently taking NSAIDs, with the use of high dose steroids (>1000mg Prednisone-equivalent), and for patients with a prior history of ulcer. Routine prophylactic therapy is not warranted with short-term corticosteroid use (NNT ~1000, assuming that prophylaxis is 100% effective). Despite lack of data, prophylaxis may be considered for high-risk cases. The combined use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids should be avoided.

3 comments:

Debbie said...

Thanks, Dusty, for all the detailed information. In reading your findings, and seeing that the combination of cortisone and NSAIDs might be a problem, I decided that I better do some more research.

I had been considering taking a daily baby aspirin (an NSAID) for heart-disease prevention. But, now I don't think I will.

The Merck Manual said the following:

Many drugs, especially aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids, irritate the stomach lining and can cause ulcers. However, most people who take NSAIDs or corticosteroids do not develop peptic ulcers. Regardless, some experts suggest that people at high risk of developing peptic ulcers should use a type of NSAID called a coxib (COX-2 inhibitor), rather than one of the older types of NSAIDs, because coxibs are less likely to irritate the stomach (see Pain: Coxibs (COX-2 Inhibitors)). However, studies have shown that coxibs appear to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke with long-term use and, therefore, caution should be taken with their use. Because of these complications, most doctors now use a standard NSAID plus a strong acid inhibitor (such as a proton pump inhibitor) for people at high risk of developing peptic ulcers.

(Me again) I do try to eat yogurt or take a probiotic daily, but I didn't know it could be taken at the same time the other meds are taken. That's good to know. Maybe I'll start doing that, too.

Thanks, again, for the research that you did.

when the musics over said...

I frequently use ibuprofen, particularly in the evenings when I may experience joint pain or muscle aches and cannot take hydrocortisone. Is the implication that anyone using corticosteriods should refrain from using NSAIDS at all?

I have acid reflux disease and take Protonix daily to prevent damaging my esophagus. I wonder if there is reactivity to NSAIDS and that as well.

when the musics over said...

Thanks, Debbie. I should have read your whole message! The Merck Manual suggests the use of proton pump inhibitors (i.e. Protonix) along with NSAIDS. I can stop worrying I suppose. I'll just go back to feeling happy and crappy : )