Corticosteroid-induced adverse events in adults: frequency, screening and prevention.

Corticosteroids represent the most important and frequently used class of anti-inflammatory drugs and are the reference therapy for numerous neoplastic, immunological and allergic diseases. However, their substantial efficacy is often counter-balanced by multiple adverse events. These corticosteroid-induced adverse events represent a broad clinical and biological spectrum from mild irritability to severe and life-threatening adrenal insufficiency or cardiovascular events.