I have been taking cortisone for a long time.
kor-ti-ZO-ne — four syllables, stress on third. Italian term for corticosteroids generally.
Tell any prescribing doctor, surgeon, or dentist. Long-term corticosteroid use has significant implications for infection risk, bone health, and surgical management.
'Cortisone' = corticosteroids — including prednisone ('prednisone'), methylprednisolone ('metilprednisolone'), betamethasone ('betametasone'). Long-term use causes: immune suppression, osteoporosis, adrenal suppression (cannot stop suddenly), diabetes risk, increased infection risk, weight gain. Surgical patients on steroids need 'copertura steroidea' (steroid cover).
Non posso smettere il cortisone bruscamente.
I cannot stop cortisone suddenly.
Adrenal suppression — abrupt discontinuation can cause adrenal crisis
Il cortisone mi ha causato l'osteoporosi.
Cortisone has caused me osteoporosis.
Long-term steroid complication — should be on calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonate protection
Ho l'insufficienza surrenalica. Devo aumentare la dose in caso di stress.
I have adrenal insufficiency. I need to increase the dose in case of stress.
'Sick day rules' — patients on long-term steroids must increase dose during illness or surgery
Corticosteroids are among the most prescribed drugs in Italy — used for asthma, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, allergies, and more. Italian rheumatologists closely monitor long-term steroid patients for osteoporosis — prescribing calcium, vitamin D ('vitamina D'), and bisphosphonates ('bisfosfonati') as protection. 'Dexa scan' (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is used to assess bone density and is covered by the SSN for patients on long-term steroids.