Sociodemographics of the study sample (n = 500).

Chronic glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is common in patients with rheumatic medical diseases (RMD). However, long-term use of GCs can be associated with significant adverse effects. This study aims to determine the prevalence of GC use among patients with RMD and understand their perceptions of GC use and safety. This cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary academic university hospital in Amman, Jordan. RMD patients were anonymously approached while awaiting rheumatology clinic appointments. Convenience sampling was employed, with enrollment taking place between January and September 2021. Of 500 participants, 315 (63%) reported current (171/315, 54.3%) or past (144/315, 45.7%) use of GCs, primarily prescribed for RMD (267/315, 84.7%). Most (270/315, 85.7%) used GCs orally, with the majority taking them daily (266/315, 84.4%). A small percentage (33/315, 10.5%) used GCs only as needed. Long-term use was common, with 57.8% (182/315) reporting use for years and 84.1% (265/315) adhering to doctor recommendations. Perception-wise, 69.5% (219/315) of GC users believed in its efficacy, whereas 78.7% (248/315) considered it unsafe, compared to 51.9% (96/185) of non-users. Awareness of side effects was higher among GC users (219/315, 69.5%) than non-users (79/185, 42.7%), with weight gain being the most reported side effect. Media and personal research were the primary information sources for GC users (193/315, 61.3%). Side effects were reported by 110/315 (34.9%) GC users, with weight gain as the most common (47%). Both perceived efficacy and safety of GC were positively and significantly correlated with educational level (p = .005, p = .000, respectively) and monthly income (p = .044, p = .000, respectively). GC use is prevalent among Jordanian patients with RMDs, with perceptions of efficacy and safety strongly influenced by education and income. Enhanced patient education on the side effects of GC is crucial for improving treatment adherence and outcomes.

慢性糖皮质激素（glucocorticoid, GC）治疗在风湿性疾病（rheumatic medical diseases, RMD）患者中十分常见。然而，长期使用糖皮质激素可引发诸多显著不良反应。本研究旨在明确风湿性疾病患者的糖皮质激素用药流行率，并了解其对糖皮质激素用药及安全性的认知。
本横断面调查（cross-sectional survey）于约旦安曼的一所三级学术教学医院开展。研究人员在风湿病门诊（rheumatology clinic）候诊期间，匿名招募风湿性疾病患者，采用方便抽样（convenience sampling）法，入组时间为2021年1月至9月。
共计纳入500名研究对象，其中315例（63.0%）报告当前（171/315，54.3%）或既往（144/315，45.7%）使用过糖皮质激素，且用药指征以风湿性疾病为主（267/315，84.7%）。多数患者（270/315，85.7%）采用口服途径给药，其中大部分每日规律用药（266/315，84.4%），仅少数（33/315，10.5%）按需使用糖皮质激素。长期用药情况较为普遍，57.8%（182/315）的患者用药时长长达数年，84.1%（265/315）的患者能够遵从医嘱用药。
在用药认知层面，69.5%（219/315）的糖皮质激素使用者认可其疗效，而78.7%（248/315）认为其存在安全性风险；相较之下，非使用者中仅51.9%（96/185）持此类看法。糖皮质激素使用者对不良反应的知晓率（219/315，69.5%）高于非使用者（79/185，42.7%），其中体重增加是被提及最多的不良反应。媒体与个人调研是糖皮质激素使用者获取相关用药信息的主要途径（193/315，61.3%）。共有34.9%（110/315）的糖皮质激素使用者报告出现不良反应，其中体重增加占比最高（47%）。
统计分析显示，糖皮质激素使用者对药物的疗效认知与安全性认知均与受教育程度（分别为p=0.005、p=0.000）及月收入水平（分别为p=0.044、p=0.000）呈显著正相关。
约旦风湿性疾病患者的糖皮质激素用药流行率较高，患者对糖皮质激素的疗效与安全性认知受到教育程度和收入水平的显著影响。加强针对糖皮质激素不良反应的患者教育，对于提升治疗依从性与改善临床结局至关重要。