Journal of Steroids & Hormonal Science

ISSN - 2157-7536

Steroid Myopathy

It is a fatal disease that cause muscle weakness. Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy is the most common type of drug-induced myopathy. It is mostly seen in proximal muscles of the neck upper and lower limbs. Example: Corticosteroids.

Steroid myopathy is damage to the muscle fibers caused by treatment with corticosteroids, such as prednisone, cortisone, dexamethasone and fludrocortisone or overproduction of steroids associated with Cushing's disease. Myopathy causes changes in muscle fibers, including atrophy (shrinkage), lipid (fatty) deposits, necrotic (dead) areas and increased interstitial (connective) tissue between fibers. It may have severe damage to the muscles while the muscles appear normal in size. Chronic steroid myopathy is much more variable and can occur weeks, month or years after first treatment or continued treatment.