Abstract

The aim of the study is to measure the morning basal serum cortisol levels on day 1, after which short course of systemic corticosteroids of different class are given in various dermatological diseases. All the participants in the study were subjected to the following detailed personal and clinical history recording. The history included past and present medical history and past and concomitant drug history, study was conducted in MMCMSR, Ambala for duration of 1 year. Results: Group A (Betamethasone) showed 53.064 % reduction in the serum cortisol level from the baseline values, whereas the Percentage reduction in group B (Prednisolone) was 28.418 %. Group C (Hydrocortisone) showed the least reduction in the serum cortisol level that was 15.5151%. Conclusion: Our study confirms the safety of the three most commonly used corticosteroids with regards to HPA axis suppression. A five day single early morning non-tapered dose 0.5 mg/kg body weight of prednisolone equivalent of hydrocortisone and betamethasone are safe, even on abrupt withdrawal. Study demonstrates that an intensive short non-tapered course is well-tolerated and is a desirable treatment in many of the dermatological disorders.

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