Risk factors for gastrointestinal complications during glucocorticoid therapy in internal medicine inpatients: a real-world retrospective analysis.

Abstract

Background: The risk factors for gastrointestinal complications during glucocorticoid therapy in internal medicine inpatients are rarely reported. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for gastrointestinal complications in internal medicine patients using glucocorticoids.

Methods: Internal medicine inpatients receiving glucocorticoid therapy from February 2023 to September 2023 were included. Gastrointestinal complications were identified by careful review of the electronic medical records of these patients. The risk factors for gastrointestinal complications during glucocorticoid therapy were analyzed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with Youden's index was used to determine the best cutoff point of the identified continuous variables.

Results: Of the 960 inpatients included, 88 had gastrointestinal complications, with the most common complications including 27 (30.7%) with abdominal discomfort, 26 (29.5%) with acid regurgitation and heartburn, and 14 (15.9%) with asymptomatic positive fecal occult blood. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years [OR = 2.014, 95% CI (1.096, 3.703), p = 0.024], history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [OR = 1.810, 95% CI (1.009, 3.250), p = 0.047], history of peptic ulcer (PU) [OR = 5.636, 95% CI (1.505, 21.102), p = 0.010], maximum dose of glucocorticoids [OR = 1.003, 95% CI (1.001, 1.004), p = 0.001], and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [OR = 2.788, 95% CI (1.023, 7.597), p = 0.045] were associated with more gastrointestinal complications during glucocorticoid therapy in internal medicine inpatients. ROC curve analysis revealed that when the maximum dose of glucocorticoids was greater than 160 mg, gastrointestinal complications were more likely to occur.

Conclusions: The study shows that age ≥ 65 years, history of GERD, history of PU, maximum dose of glucocorticoids, and NSAIDs are associated with more gastrointestinal complications during glucocorticoid therapy in internal medicine inpatients. Multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, should consider increased monitoring to inpatients with high-risk factors.