The safety of glucocorticoids in patients with inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions

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Glucocorticoids, also known as steroids, are drugs commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Steroids are a good treatment because they quickly ease joint pain, swelling and stiffness, thus improving disability. However, as with most medication, there are potential side effects. When starting medication, most patients want to know their chance of developing side effects. However, we don‘t know accurately how commonly side effects occur, what dose of steroid leads to side effects, or what sort of person is particularly at risk. The chance of side effects probably varies according to many factors, including how old a patient is, their gender, whether they have other diseases, or are taking other medication. This research aims to answer these questions, and to provide a likelihood of side effects tailored to the individual.Only patients themselves know whether they take their medicines, at what dose, or whether they develop side effects. In order to improve risk measurement, we need to collect such information directly from patients. Then, having measured risk, we need to improve the way we communicate this information to patients. This project aims to develop electronic systems to advance this two-way communication.