Approximately 40% of asthma patients were found to receive at least one dose of systemic corticosteroids for reasons likely other than asthma during the follow-up (median 4.1 years).

This study explored the patterns of corticosteroid use for motives other than asthma in adult patients who have asthma.

A retrospective review of the records of people (≥18 years old) having asthma who were followed up for >one year was done. The patterns and reasons for systemic corticosteroid usage during follow-up were explored. Furthermore, factors associated with systemic corticosteroid usage for reasons likely other than asthma were determined.

Out of 568 asthma patients evaluated, 326 (57.4%) were given systemic corticosteroids for some reason. Out of 326 participants, 120 (36.8%) were administered corticosteroids for motives apart from asthma. The multivariable assessment indicated that factors like eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, rheumatoid arthritis, other collagen vascular disorders, malignancy, and chronic rhinosinusitis were positively linked with corticosteroid usage for non-asthma reasons in people with asthma.

For better management of asthma, physicians must be aware of exposure of their asthmatic patients to corticosteroids for motives apart from asthma. This will ascertain that the noxious events are not missed. In addition, it would reduce underestimation of asthma severity and assist in lowering systemic corticosteroid use.