Corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel disease: Are they still a therapeutic option?

Abstract

Despite the development and incorporation of new therapeutic strategies, such as biologic therapy and small molecules, corticosteroids still play an important role in inducting inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remission. Variables like indicating the right doses at the right time, in adequate intervals, the security of these drugs and the pharmacological alternatives available must be considered by the providers when they are indicated to patients with IBD. Although the use of corticosteroids is considered as a marker of quality of care in patients with IBD, the use of these drugs in the clinical practice of IBD is far from being the correct one. This review article is not intended to be just a classic review of the indications for corticosteroids. Here we explain the scenarios in which, in our opinion, steroids would not be an appropriate option for our patients, as well as the most frequent mistakes we make in our daily practice when using them.

Keywords: Atención de salud; Budesonida; Budesonide; Corticoesteroides; Corticoides; Corticosteroids; Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal; Health care; Inflammatory bowel disease; Steroids; Tratamiento; Treatment.