Prevalence of the Oral Corticosteroid Exposure and Excessive Use in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Data from Four French Referral Centers of the International DICE Study

Background: Corticosteroids used to induce a response in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) may cause adverse reactions. The DICE study aimed to quantify and investigate factors associated with their use. Methods: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study conducted in seven countries allowed us to collect data on oral corticosteroid exposure and excessive use (cf. British Society of Gastroenterology) over the past 12 months in adult patients with CD or UC for more than a year. The factors associated with these practices were investigated using marginal logistic models. We present the results from the four participating French expert centers. Results: Corticosteroid exposure over the past 12 months was observed in 20.1% of 324 CD patients and 30.2% of 205 UC patients. Excessive use was reported in 13.3% and 17.1% of patients, respectively. Corticosteroid exposure and excessive use were less frequently observed in CD than in UC (OR: 0.56, p < 0.0001, and 0.69, p = 0.0042). A disease activity assessment at patient’s last visit was the main factor (p < 0.01) associated with the risk of corticosteroid exposure and excessive use in CD (OR: 3.41 and 3.44) and UC (OR: 7.29 and 6.90). Conclusions: Corticosteroid exposure and excessive use continue to be frequently observed in CD and UC in France.