Use of steroid cards by patients with respiratory disease.

Prolonged administration of corticosteroid preparations, other than by the inhaled route, is associated with suppression of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenocortical axis. Sudden cessation of such treatment may lead to acute adrenal insufficiency that could have a fatal consequence, and for this reason a card is available for issue to patients receiving corticosteroid supplements. Drug type, dosage, and date started, together with details of patient, general practitioner, and hospital attended should be entered on the card. Printed on the card are instructions to the patient not to stop treatment suddenly and the measures to take in an emergency, and advice to carry the card at all times. Thus, if the patient is unable to give any history during an illness, medical staff should be able to ascertain the requirement for continued or increased corticosteroid treatment. This study was undertaken to assess the use made of the steroid card in a busy respiratory unit.