Comparison of Upper Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Enteric-Coated Prednisolone Versus Non-EntericCoated Prednisolone Among Patients Managed at the Rheumatology Department

Abstract

Objective: To compare the upper gastrointestinal toxicity of enteric-coated Prednisolone versus non-enteric-coated Prednisolone among patients managed at the rheumatology department.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Rheumatology Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from May 2019 to Mar 2020.

Methodology: Patients of any rheumatological or immune-based condition who were taking Prednisolone for more than three months were included in the study. Stool for occult was performed for all the patients from the laboratory of their hospital, and patients with the presence of melena were classed as having upper gastrointestinal toxicity.

Results: Mean age of the study participants was 43.64±2.74 years, 43(17.2%) patients had the presence of upper gastrointestinal toxicity, while 207(82.8%) did not show the presence of upper gastrointestinal toxicity. Pearson chi-square test revealed that advancing age and use of non-enteric coated Prednisolone had a statistically significant association with upper gastrointestinal toxicity among the patients suffering from any rheumatological condition managed with Prednisolone (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: Upper gastrointestinal toxicity emerged as a common finding among the patients managed in the rheumatology department with Prednisolone for various immune-based disorders. The use of non-enteric coated tablets and advancing age emerged as strong predictors for upper gastrointestinal toxicity among the study participants.