Which statement about long-term corticosteroid therapy is true?

• A. They have no significant adverse effects
• B. They can cause hyperglycemia and immunosuppression
• C. They do not affect wound healing
• D. They do interact with vaccines

Answer: (B)

Long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy affects both glucose metabolism and immune function. These medications mimic cortisol, which increases hepatic gluconeogenesis and reduces peripheral glucose uptake, leading to higher blood glucose levels and a risk of steroid-induced hyperglycemia or diabetes. At the same time, they dampen the immune response by suppressing inflammatory mediators and lymphocyte activity, and by impairing macrophage and neutrophil function, which elevates the risk of infections. This combination makes the statement that they can cause hyperglycemia and immunosuppression true. While they can impact wound healing and vaccine responses as well, the clear, direct effects to recognize are the metabolic and immune-suppressive consequences described.