Which of the following is NOT a systemic side effect associated with long term use of systemic steroids?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Weight loss
• C. Immune suppression
• D. Poor wound healing

Answer: (B)

Long-term systemic corticosteroids disrupt multiple body systems, leading to metabolic and immune effects. They raise blood glucose by increasing glucose production in the liver and reducing insulin sensitivity, which causes hyperglycemia. They suppress the immune system by lowering lymphocyte activity and cytokine production, increasing infection risk. They also impair wound healing by inhibiting collagen synthesis and delaying the inflammatory response. In contrast, these drugs commonly cause weight gain due to increased appetite, fat redistribution, and fluid retention. So weight loss is not a typical systemic side effect; weight gain is the expected change, making weight loss the exception.