Peri-operative Replacement of Exogenous Steroids (PREdS): a national audit of current peri-operative prescribing for patients taking therapeutic steroids

Introduction

Approximately 1% of the UK population take oral corticosteroids for ≥ 28 days each year, for broadly two reasons: deficiency in corticosteroid requiring replacement; or therapeutic corticosteroid for inflammatory conditions. Acute deficiency can occur at times of physiological stress (e.g. surgery), potentially leading to major complications. The Association of Anaesthetists' 2020 consensus guideline provides detailed advice for the management of glucocorticoids during the peri-operative period for patients with adrenal insufficiency. This national audit aimed to assess compliance with this guideline.

Methods

Data were collected from 59 Trusts over 14 consecutive days for all eligible patients undergoing procedures under the care of an anaesthetist. Patients who were prescribed ≥ 5 mg oral prednisolone equivalents pre-operatively, in whom supplementary corticosteroid would be indicated, were compared with those prescribed < 5 mg oral prednisolone equivalents.

Results

Operations for 21,731 patients were audited: 277 (1.3%) patients were taking therapeutic corticosteroids. Detailed peri-operative data were collected for all patients receiving therapeutic corticosteroids: 201/277 (73%) were ASA physical status ≥ 3; 184/277 (66%) underwent elective procedures; and 252/277 (91%) were prescribed prednisolone pre-operatively, of whom 219/277 (79%) were prescribed ≥ 5 mg oral prednisolone equivalents. In the patients who were prescribed ≥ 5 mg oral prednisolone equivalents, 186/219 (85%) received pre-operative glucocorticoid supplementation and 97/219 (42%) received it postoperatively; however, only 67/219 (31%) and 43/219 (20%) respectively received glucocorticoid supplementation according to the guidelines. Overall, peri-operative prescribing was compliant in 19/219 (9%) patients. A similar proportion, 30/219 (14%), received no supplementation. In the patients taking < 5 mg oral prednisolone equivalents pre-operatively, 28/58 (48%) received inappropriate supplementation.

Conclusions

Despite 125/277 (45%) of anaesthetists reporting Association of Anaesthetists' guidelines use, compliance remained low, with adherence in only 27/125 (22%) patients. Further research is required to identify the correct peri-operative strategy for patients taking therapeutic corticosteroids.