About the Glucocorticoids Impact Working Group
Glucocorticoids (GC), more commonly known as steroids, are used to treat many inflammatory diseases. The GC Impact Group studies the good and bad effects of GCs. Side effects, or adverse effects, of GCs are common. Some are easily measured and can usually be controlled such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. Some are harder to control such as weight gain, osteoporosis (bone thinning) and cataracts. Effects such as mood and sleep disturbance, easy bruising and body shape changes are harder to measure. Certain effects are ‘events’, which are less common such as infections and fractures, whilst others are common ‘experiences’ that have variable effects such as weight gain, skin changes and sleep disturbance.
Another difficulty is knowing whether it is the GC, another medication used at the same time or the disease being treated leading to these effects is often difficult to work out. It is also not known which effects are most important and concerning to patients.

Susan Goodman
Co-Chair

Catherine Hill
Co-Chair

Sarah Mackie
Co-Chair

Jonathan Cheah
Fellow

Joanna Tieu
Fellow

Susan Beard
Patient Research Partner

Pam Richards
Patient Research Partner
Glucocorticoid Impact Whiteboard Overview
Glucocorticoid Impact Plenary Video
OMERACT Endorsed Core Domain Set for Glucocorticoid Impact

Working Group Publications
Toward a Core Domain Set for Glucocorticoid Impact in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: The OMERACT 2018 Glucocorticoid Impact Working Group
A Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Effect of Glucocorticoid Therapy in Adults with Inflammatory Diseases Is Needed: Report from the OMERACT 2016 Special Interest Group
Working Group Members:
Rachel Black
Maarten Boers
Peter Brooks
Robin Christensen
Susan Goodman
Eileen Harrison
Catherine Hill
Elizabeth Hoon
Lana Lai
Anne Lyddiatt
Amye Leong
Sarah Mackie
Michael Nebesky
Lorna Neill
Linda Nelsen
Pam Richards
Joanna Robson
Ken Saag
Marieke Scholte-Voshaar
Lee Simon
Peter Tugwell