Balancing IBD relief and steroid risks.

IBD Management: How Nurses Can Improve Steroid Use

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a Kent IBD Nurse-led initiative is transforming steroid use for IBD patients, enhancing bone protection, and promoting better patient outcomes."

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, demands careful management to alleviate symptoms and sustain remission. Steroids have long been a cornerstone of IBD treatment, effectively reducing inflammation and bringing relief to patients. However, their long-term use is fraught with risks, including adverse reactions and a failure to modify the underlying disease progression.

Recognizing the need for safer and more effective steroid use, a collaborative effort in the UK led to the development of the Steroid Assessment Tool (SAT). This web-based tool empowers clinicians to monitor and optimize steroid usage within their practice. An audit conducted by IBD nurses in Kent provides valuable insights into the impact of this tool and its potential to transform patient care.

This article delves into the findings of the Kent IBD Nurse Experience with the Steroid Assessment Tool, exploring how this initiative is improving steroid management, enhancing bone protection, and promoting better outcomes for individuals living with IBD. We'll uncover the key insights from the audit and discuss their implications for clinical practice.

What is the Impact of Steroid Assessment Tool?

The Kent IBD Steroid Audit, involving 500 patients, revealed that a significant 40% had received oral corticosteroids in the past year. This highlights the prevalent use of steroids in managing IBD symptoms. However, the audit also uncovered areas of concern regarding steroid excess. A notable 28% of Kent IBD patients had experienced steroid excess, with 6% receiving six or more courses of steroids within 12 months. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of 13.8%, underscoring the need for improved monitoring and management practices.

One of the critical findings of the audit was the inconsistency in bone protection among hospital trusts. This suggests that many IBD patients on steroids are not receiving adequate bone protection, leaving them vulnerable to complications like osteoporosis and fractures. There could be several reasons for this gap:

Patients hording steroids
Lack of awareness among patients regarding the need for bone protection
Failure of physicians to prescribe bone protection agents alongside steroids

To address these issues, the Kent IBD team has formalized an IBD pathway that incorporates correct steroid dosages and monitoring protocols. This ensures that patients receive appropriate steroid treatment while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Furthermore, the pathway emphasizes the importance of bone protection, promoting awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals.

Improving IBD Patient Outcomes

The Kent IBD Nurse Experience with the Steroid Assessment Tool demonstrates the crucial role nurses can play in optimizing IBD management. By actively monitoring steroid use, promoting bone protection, and educating patients, nurses can significantly improve patient outcomes. This initiative serves as a model for other healthcare systems seeking to enhance their IBD care and minimize the risks associated with long-term steroid therapy.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and why are steroids used in its management?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a group of conditions, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These diseases require careful management to reduce symptoms and maintain remission. Steroids are frequently used in IBD treatment to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. However, long-term steroid use can lead to adverse effects and may not address the underlying disease progression.

What is the Steroid Assessment Tool (SAT), and how does it aim to improve steroid use in IBD management?

The Steroid Assessment Tool (SAT) is a web-based tool developed to help clinicians monitor and improve steroid use in their practice. The tool helps healthcare professionals to ensure safer and more effective steroid use. An audit in Kent highlights the tool's potential to transform patient care by ensuring appropriate steroid dosages and monitoring protocols, while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.

What were the key findings of the Kent IBD Steroid Audit regarding steroid use and bone protection?

The Kent IBD Steroid Audit of 500 patients revealed that a considerable 40% had received oral corticosteroids in the past year, indicating a high reliance on steroids for managing IBD symptoms. The audit also showed that 28% of patients had experienced steroid excess, with 6% receiving six or more courses of steroids within 12 months, which is higher than the national average. Additionally, the audit highlighted inconsistencies in bone protection among hospital trusts, suggesting that many IBD patients on steroids are not receiving adequate bone protection, making them vulnerable to complications like osteoporosis and fractures.

Why is there inconsistent bone protection for IBD patients on steroids, and what are the potential consequences?

Inconsistent bone protection for IBD patients on steroids can lead to complications such as osteoporosis and fractures. Reasons for this inconsistency include patients hoarding steroids, a lack of awareness among patients about the need for bone protection, and the failure of physicians to prescribe bone protection agents alongside steroids. Addressing these issues is crucial to safeguarding patients' bone health during steroid treatment.

What role do nurses play in improving IBD patient outcomes, particularly in the context of steroid management and bone protection?

Nurses play a crucial role in enhancing IBD management by actively monitoring steroid use, promoting bone protection, and educating patients. By identifying and addressing issues related to steroid excess and inadequate bone protection, nurses can significantly improve patient outcomes. The Kent IBD Nurse Experience with the Steroid Assessment Tool serves as a model for other healthcare systems seeking to improve their IBD care and minimize the risks associated with long-term steroid therapy.