Corticosteroids Boost Risk of Clots

[NHE]

Corticosteroids Boost Risk of Clots
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/05/ ... -of-clots/

• Blood clots deep in the veins are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. They are called deep vein thromboses or DVTs. When a blood clot breaks loose and lands in the lungs it is called a pulmonary embolism and can be a life-threatening event.
  
  A large new study from Denmark shows that people who start taking oral corticosteroids such as prednisone triple their risk for such blood clots. Ongoing use doubles the risk.
  
  New use of inhaled steroids for conditions such as asthma or COPD can also boost the chance of developing a deep vein clot and a resulting pulmonary embolism. (There is no information in this study on nasal steroids such as those used for allergies.) Although such drugs have utility, we continue to learn about potentially serious side effects of cortisone-like drugs.

See the paper in JAMA Internal Medicine...
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article ... id=1673744

[lyndacarol]

My ideas on the finding of this study will surprise NO ONE:

I think this is the likely biological mechanism: Glucocorticosteroids elevate blood sugar levels… Elevated glucose (blood sugar) stimulates insulin secretion… Insulin promotes blood clots (DVT's and other clotting).

Long-term use or high doses of corticosteroids, such as prednisone or Solu-Medrol, have been linked to the development of type II diabetes. Now to deep vein thrombosis (DVT's). Perhaps their use in MS symptoms produces short-term improvements with long-term consequences – something we people with MS need to consider.