A056 Managing and Monitoring Long-term Oral Corticosteroids – How Good Are We and Do We Follow Best Practice Guidelines?

Background: Long-term (defined as >1 month) oral corticosteroids are widely used for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions In cardiology, the primary indications are transplantation, cardiac sarcoidosis and large vessel vasculitis Minimising organ-based complications including infection (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP)), gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding and osteoporosis warrant consideration but guidelines vary between specialties and co-existing treatments The aim of this study was to assess prescribing patterns between specialties at Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau District Health Boards Method: An anonymised survey of cardiologists, respiratory, oncology, haematology, endocrinology, infectious diseases and rheumatologists with questions regarding prescribing and monitoring practices for: i) PJP prophylaxis, ii) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for GI protection, iii) baseline bone mineral density (BMD) and iv) bisphosphonate use Results: In total 44 responders;cardiology n=16 vs other n=28 PJP prophylaxis was prescribed n= 5 (31%) of cardiologists compared to n=23 (96%) of other specialties Cardiologists were less likely to prescribe bisphosphonates n=1 (6%) than other specialists n=10 (36%, p value = 0 01) but with similar prescription of PPI and baseline BMD (Figure 1) Conclusion: Prescription of PJP prophylaxis, bisphosphonates and PPIs are lower amongst cardiologists PPI and bisphosphonates use were high particularly amongst non-cardiologists increasing the patient pill burden but may be unnecessary in the absence of previous GI complications or co-existing NSAID use and moderate-high risk of fracture on BMD Consensus guidelines for cardiologists aimed at standardising pre-treatment assessment and prevention of prove patient care and prevent unnecessary therapy [Formula presented]