The Significance of Radiologic Examination of the Hip Joint for Patients Who Use Systemic Corticosteroids for a Long Period of Time / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Systemic corticosteroid is one of the most common drugs used in dermatology departments. However, physicians are well aware that there are quite a number of side effects from systemic corticosteroid. One of them, avascular necrosis of femoral head, has been frequently documented in association with systemic corticosteroid. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of hip x-rays to ascertain the presence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in patients who have used or are using systemic corticosteroid for a long period of time. METHODS: A total of 151 patients who were using systemic corticosteroid and who underwent hip x-ray at our university hospital from December 2004 to July 2007 were enrolled in this study. We reviewed the patients' charts to determine the existence of abnormal results on hip and chest x-rays and also other side effects of corticosteroid, and we wanted to calculate the dosage of corticosteroid that had been used by these patients. RESULTS: Out of the 151 patients who underwent hip x-ray, 5 patients had avascular necrosis of the femoral head, but only 3 patients' cases (2%) were involved with corticosteroid. Three patients showed old tuberculosis findings when they underwent chest x-ray. Among the other side effects of corticosteroid, weight gain side effect was the most common and 14 patients experienced this. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that those patients who use systemic corticosteroids for a long period of time for the treatment of chronic dermatologic disease are advised to undergo regular hip x-rays to screen for avascular necrosis of the femoral head.