Progress in Corticosteroid Use in the Era of Biologics With Room for Improvement

Abstract

With the early success of their trials for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, corticosteroids gained popularity as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, when used chronically, corticosteroids are not effective in maintaining remission and associated with toxic effects. Steroid-free remission has become a major treatment goal. Prolonged corticosteroid use is currently a sign of suboptimal quality of care. Trends over the past 2 decades, spanning the emergence of biologic therapies for IBD, are explored here in the University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiologic Database.