Assessment of steroid use as a key performance indicator in inflammatory bowel disease—analysis of data from 2385 UK patients

Abstract

Background: Patients with IBD are at risk of excess corticosteroids. Aims: To assess steroid excess in a large IBD cohort and test associations with quality improvement and prescribing. Methods: Steroid exposure was recorded for outpatients attending 19 centres and associated factors analysed. Measures taken to avoid excess were assessed. Results: Of 2385 patients, 28% received steroids in the preceding 12 months. 14.8% had steroid excess or dependency. Steroid use was significantly lower at ‘intervention centres’ which participated in a quality improvement programme (exposure: 23.8% vs 31.0%, P