Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms among adults in the United States: population based cohort study

A very interesting study that mght lead to reduction in inappropriate use of a potent class of medications for self limited medical conditions. However as the authors noted, the presence of the underlying illnesses themselves could be indicative of, or risk factors for, the variables being measured. A control group consisting of patients with similar illnesses not treated with corticosteroids would hsve been more informative. The small absolute difference could easily be attributed to the underlying illnesses. In addtion to the examples cited by the authors, decreased mobility from back conditions might increase the risk of DVT. Violent coughing with repiratory illnesses might lead to vertebral fractures.