A client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been on corticosteroid therapy for several years. What clinical manifestations is the client at high risk for developing?

The clinical manifestations associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy in a client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) include truncal obesity and purple striations on the skin, also known as striae. Corticosteroids can lead to metabolic changes in the body, promoting weight gain, particularly in the trunk and abdomen, which contributes to the characteristic truncal obesity. The medication also affects skin integrity, leading to conditions such as skin atrophy and the formation of purple striae, which are indicative of rapid changes in body composition and skin stretching due to the effects of steroids.

This knowledge stems from the broader understanding of how corticosteroids interact with metabolic processes, including fat distribution, skin health, and the overall stress response in the body. In individuals taking corticosteroids, these changes can manifest significantly, thereby placing them at high risk for the specific symptoms mentioned.