Corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel diseases

Isabella Miranda, Gastroenterologia, Dept. Clinica Medica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Río de Janeiro, Brasil
Cyrla Zaltman, Department of Clinical Medicine, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro, HUCFF/UFRJ, Rio de Janerio, RJ, Brazil

Corticosteroids (CSs) were first introduced as therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the 1950s, since that time, CSs are mainstay in the treatment of IBD. CSs are an effective treatment for induction of remission and ineffective in the maintenance of remission. The negative aspects of these drugs are the possibility of occurrence of steroid dependency or steroid refractory and the development of multiple side effects during long-term treatment. This article reviews the role of conventional and novel CSs in the management of IBD.

Palabras clave: Steroids. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Crohn’s Disease. Ulcerative Colitis.