Abstract
Corticosteroids were once considered highly ulcerogenic drugs. Despite the fact that many studies have not confirmed this fact, a large percentage of doctors is still considering them as ulcerogenic.
Even the renowned textbooks of various disciplines do not consider the corticosteroids ulcerogenic except when administered with Non-Steroidal Anti-Rheumatic Agents (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs). We ourselves have conducted a study in which we investigated the views of Czech doctors of various specialties and medical students on ulcerogenicity of steroids.
Not surprisingly, we have confirmed the expected - more than 80% of the responding doctors and students consider corticosteroids to be highly ulcerogenic. The only exception is Gastroenterology where 30% of respondents do not consider the steroids ulcerogenic.
When comparing ulcerogenic potential of ibuprofen, diclofenac and prednisone, 40% of respondents consider prednisone the most ulcerogenic. It is obvious that despite the fact that no data prove the ulcerogenity of steroids and most modern textbooks and articles do not consider these drugs ulcerogenic, there is still a myth of ulcerogenity of steroids in the minds of Czech doctors and students.
This has undoubtedly not only important economic consequences when prescribing concomitant antisecretory prophylaxis.