What duration is characterized as short-term in the anti-inflammatory steroid dosing context given?

• A. Less than 14 days
• B. 6 weeks
• C. 3 months
• D. 1 year

Answer: (A)

Short-term anti-inflammatory steroid therapy is defined as duration of less than 14 days. The near-term goal is to rapidly quell inflammation while minimizing systemic effects, particularly suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and other adverse effects. Once the course extends beyond about two weeks, the risk of significant HPA axis suppression and other complications increases, making tapering and closer monitoring more important. Durations like several weeks to months or longer (such as 6 weeks, 3 months, or a year) are not short-term and carry a higher risk profile requiring more careful management.