Measures for kalaemia and gastric protection associated with the prescription of oral GC therapy over the year following treatment start (figures are percentages)
|
All GC initiators n=206 759 |
Short-term users* n=139 703 |
Mid-term users* n=63 267 |
Long-term users* n=3789 | |
| At least one concurrent reimbursement of GC and potassium supplements | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 23.7 |
| Without any serum potassium level measurement during the preceding 2-week period | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 8.8 |
| At least one concurrent reimbursement of GC and PPI without concurrent NSAID or aspirin use | 10.8 | 7.1 | 16.7 | 49.8 |
*Short-term users: one reimbursement/year; mid-term users: 2–5 reimbursements/year; long-term users: ≥6 reimbursements.
GC, glucocorticoids; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PPI, proton pump inhibitor.