Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42747664›Full record

ReviewEndocrine2026

Glucocorticoids: an enemy or a friend for the dermatologist? recommendations for proper use and safe discontinuation.

Evangelia Sali, Ioanna A Paschou, Sofia M Dimopoulou, Anna Tagka, Vasiliki Chasapi, Electra Nicolaidou, Alexander J Stratigos, Melpomeni Peppa, Stavroula A Paschou

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Endocrine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Evangelia SaliEndocrine Unit and Diabetes Centre, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.ORCID 0009-0003-4763-8394
Ioanna A PaschouDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.ORCID 0009-0000-5890-5783
Sofia M DimopoulouEndocrine Unit and Diabetes Centre, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Anna TagkaDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-3307-6522
Vasiliki ChasapiDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Electra NicolaidouDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-8221-0217
Alexander J StratigosDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Melpomeni PeppaEndocrine Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-3538-2534
Stavroula A PaschouEndocrine Unit and Diabetes Centre, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. s.a.paschou@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-0651-1376

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeGlucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulating effects, thus essential for the management of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including a wide range of dermatological conditions. The aim of our review is to summarize current data about the indications for GCs in dermatology, present the dermatological and endocrinological adverse effects and summarize current recommendations about the proper use and safe discontinuation of GCs, creating a practical guide for dermatologists.

methodsA narrative review of the literature on PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted and included articles in English, published until July, 2026. A combination of the keywords "glucocorticoids", "dermatology", "adrenal insufficiency", "HPA axis", "adverse effects" and "monitoring" was used to identify relevant literature for this review, with emphasis on recent recommendations and guidelines. The reference lists of the selected publications were also reviewed.

resultsAlthough GCs are commonly prescribed medications in dermatology, their use is associated with numerous adverse effects, extending beyond the skin to multiple organ systems. However, some side effects, such as adrenal insufficiency and withdrawal syndrome, may even be life-threatening.

conclusionDue to the expanded use of GCs, careful prescription and safe discontinuation is required. For this reason, we have created a practical clinical guide, summarizing the relevant recommendations to ensure proper use of GCs as well as safe discontinuation of the treatment. Optimal GC use requires individualized and careful selection of potency, duration, and route of administration to prevent any side effects and ensure the best outcome for the patient.

Indexed as

GlucocorticoidsSkin DiseasesAdrenal InsufficiencyDermatologyHumansGlucocorticoidsAdrenal InsufficiencyDermatologyGlucocorticoidHPA axisHydrocortisoneSkin Diseases

Identifiers

PMID42747664
PMCPMC13582095

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.