Steroid-Induced Thrombosis: A Comprehensive Analysis Using the FAERS Database.

Background/

Objectives

Thrombosis, a critical condition that can have severe consequences, such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction, can be induced by steroid drugs. Although the mechanisms for inducing thrombosis are known for some types of steroid drugs, much remains unknown about the differences in the tendency and mechanisms for thrombosis.

Methods

To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed the relationship between thrombosis and steroid use by utilizing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database. From the database, we extracted demographic and drug information and information on reported adverse events from 2004 to 2024. We characterized drugs according to physiological function, receptor specificity, and Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification and calculated the proportion of steroid drugs that were likely to induce thrombosis.

Results

Among steroid drugs, sex hormones such as androgens, progestogens, and estrogens appeared to have particularly high potential for causing thrombotic events. Results of principal component analysis and cluster analysis indicated that sex hormone preparations were associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. In addition, cardiovascular medications and mineralocorticoids, which are used to treat diseases of major organs, showed a tendency to induce large-vessel occlusions.

Conclusions

These findings may be useful for selecting steroid drugs for patients who are at risk for similar adverse effects.