Rheumatic diseases, glucocorticoid treatment and bone mass: Recent developments

M. Mazzantini¹, N.E. Lane²

¹Rheumatology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; ²Division of Rheumatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA.

ABSTRACT
Recent research has made striking advances, adding to our understanding of the aethiopathogenesis of several forms of secondary osteoporosis, including those associated with rheumatic diseases and glucocorticoid treatment. Furthermore, in the last 3 years new drugs have been shown to prevent glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. Guidelines that are suitable for clinical practice have been published. Knowledge of those new opportunities and strategies, which are briefly reviewed in this article, will reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in rheumatic and non-rheumatic patients.

Key words
Osteoporosis, glucocorticoids, prevention, treatment, rheumatic diseases.

Please address correspondence to: Dr. Maurizio Mazzantini, Rheumatology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma no. 67, Pisa 56126, Italy.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000; 18 (Suppl. 21): S2-S4.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.