ABS0263 KNOWLEDGE OF CORTICOSTEROID SIDE EFFECTS AMONG PARAMEDICAL STAFF

Abstract

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background:</h3> Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. While they provide undeniable benefits, these medications are often associated with various side effects. Adequate knowledge of these side effects among paramedical staff is crucial to improve patient care. <h3>Objectives:</h3> Studying the knowledge of paramedical staff regarding the side effects of corticosteroids. <h3>Methods:</h3> It is a descriptive and transversal study conducted in a Rheumatology Department. To evaluate the knowledge of paramedical staff, a questionnaire comprising 14 different questions about corticosteroid side effects was distributed. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 30 paramedical staff members participated in the study, including 22 women and 8 men, with an average age of 48.3 years (range: 29–62 years). All participants acknowledged that the side effects of corticosteroids are dose- and duration-dependent. For metabolic effects: 93.3% were aware of the risk of diabetes,96.7% of obesity and water-sodium retention,83.3% of hypertension, 13.3% of hypercholesterolemia, 23.3% of reduced muscle mass, and 50% of skin fragility. For digestive effects: 46.7% of participants recognized the risk of gastric ulcers. For bone involvement: 86.7% were aware of the risk of osteoporosis. For ocular side effects: only 10% knew about the risk of cataracts. For neuropsychological effects: 80% acknowledged the risk of euphoria, and 60% the risk of insomnia. Among other effects: 70% mentioned an increased risk of infections, and 40% were aware of the risk of adrenal insufficiency upon discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy. Regarding blood count disturbances, only 6.7% were aware that corticosteroids could increase white blood cell and platelet counts. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Our study revealed a variable level of knowledge about corticosteroid side effects among paramedical staff. The most well-known side effects were diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and osteoporosis, while the least known were corticosteroids' effects on blood counts, hypercholesterolemia, and cataracts. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL</b>. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL</b>. <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared</b>. © The Authors 2025. This abstract is an open access article published in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Neither EULAR nor the publisher make any representation as to the accuracy of the content. The authors are solely responsible for the content in their abstract including accuracy of the facts, statements, results, conclusion, citing resources etc.