Adrenal insufficiency

Question 1

Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) systematic

Common indications

Answer 1

1. To treat Allergic or Inflammatory disorders e.g. anaphylaxis, asthma
2. Suppression of autoimmune disease e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory arthritis
3. In the treatment of some cancers as part of chemotherapy or to reduce tumour-associated swelling
4. Hormone replacement in adrenal insufficiency or hypopituitarism

Question 2

Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) systematic

Mechanism of action

Answer 2

• These corticosteroids exert mainly glucocorticoid effects
• They bind to cytosolic glucocorticoid receptors, which then translocate to the nucleus and bind to glucocorticoid-response elements, which regulate gene expression
• Corticosteroids are most commonly prescribed to modify the immune response
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