Prevention and treatment of bone changes associated with exposure to glucocorticoids

Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2013 Dec;11(4):341-7. doi: 10.1007/s11914-013-0173-0.

Abstract

Rheumatologic diseases are associated with a proinflammatory state, which is thought to lead to many of the bone changes seen in treatment-naive patients. However, glucocorticoids remain a common treatment option for rheumatologic diseases and are known to have a negative impact on bone through direct effects on bone cells and indirect effects on calcium absorption. Despite the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoids, fracture risk rises within the first 3 months of treatment. As such, osteoporosis prevention and treatment needs to be considered in all patients started on chronic glucocorticoids (≥3 months of treatment). For very low risk patients, conservative management with non-pharmacologic strategies may be appropriate. For the moderate to high fracture risk patients treated with glucocorticoids, pharmacologic treatment with 1 of the 4 approved medications should be considered. The challenge of educating physicians and patients of the risks of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis remain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Calcium / therapeutic use
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Fractures, Bone / drug therapy*
  • Fractures, Bone / prevention & control*
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Diphosphonates
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium