Table 1
Checklist for patients about to start systemic corticosteroids
| Full history including psychiatric, smoking, alcohol, and drugs |
|---|
| Measure blood pressure |
| Measure blood sugar |
| Varicella—history of chickenpox, check antibodies if necessary, and advise against contact with chickenpox and shingles |
| Tuberculosis—history of tuberculosis, chest x ray, and tuberculin test |
| Osteoporosis—dual energy xray absorptiometry scan, weight bearing exercise, ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, hormone replacement if appropriate |
| Peptic ulcer disease—history of peptic ulcer disease, prophylaxis if in high risk group |
