Initiating Biologics in Steroid-Dependent UC Patients

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Minimizing use of corticosteroids is a pivotal aspect of management of patients with UC. Although repeated courses and prolonged use of corticosteroids have been associated with serious adverse ...

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Minimizing use of corticosteroids is a pivotal aspect of management of patients with UC. Although repeated courses and prolonged use of corticosteroids have been associated with serious adverse events, corticosteroids are still highly used in UC patients, possibly due to their efficacy to induce remission. However, corticosteroids are ineffective for maintaining remission and can create dependency. Corticosteroid-dependent patients require consideration for effective maintenance therapies with steroid-sparing effects, such as biologic therapy (anti-TNFs or anti-integrin). This module discusses how to manage steroid-dependent UC patients, exploring evidence of clinical overuse of corticosteroids, occurrence of corticosteroid-associated adverse events, and also analyzing clinical evidence on steroid-sparing therapeutic strategies.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:Recognize the risks of corticosteroid overuse and short- and long-term side-effectsDescribe strategies that can minimize steroid exposure in UC patients in the long-termEvaluate decision-making regarding when and how to withdraw corticosteroids in steroid-dependent patients

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