Steroid therapy - Tissue - deceased donors

Essential information

Obligatory

Discuss with a Designated Clinical Support Officer if:

Has been regularly taking steroid tablets, injections or enemas, or applying creams over large areas.

For information on other situations where steroid therapy may be acceptable, see Immunosuppression.

Discretionary

1. If occasional use of creams over small areas of skin for minor skin complaints, accept.
2. If using steroid inhalers for prophylaxis, accept.
3. Cornea only:
   If corneas are stored in organ culture and in the absence of other contraindications, accept. See Additional information below.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Autoimmune disease
• Eye disease
• Immunosuppression
• Infection, acute
• Infection, chronic
• Skin disease
• Tissue and cell allograft recipients

Additional information

Steroid therapy in high doses causes immunosuppression. This may mask infective and inflammatory conditions that would otherwise prevent donation. For further information, refer to Immunosuppression.

The underlying condition requiring steroid treatment should always be taken into consideration.

Eye donors receiving steroid treatment (e.g. steroid eye drops) should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the indication for treatment as well as any possible side effects. Relevant clinical records, especially ophthalmology records, should be reviewed.

Regulatory information

Part of this advice is a requirement of the EU Tissue and Cells Directive.

Reason for change:

Links to the Infection – acute, Infection – chronic and Eye Disease entries have been added. Discretionary section amended regarding cornea donation.

Version details:

TD-DSG Edition 203 Release 52 (12 September 2022)