Clinical and diagnostic features of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

L.M. Buckley

Virginia Commonwealth University, Division of General Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA. 

ABSTRACT
Glucocorticoid (GC) treatment is associated with a 50-60% increase in the risk of hip fracture and a 2-3 fold increase in the risk of vertebral fractures in adults. Bone loss occurs early in GC treatment, and although some recovery of bone mass occurs with time, complete recovery is unlikely. Patients who already have low bone mass are the group that are most susceptible to fracture. Fracture rates are highest in postmenopausal women, especially those who are not receiving hormone replacement therapy, but are also increased in men and premenopausal women. Therapies are now available to prevent GC-induced bone loss and should be employed early in GC treatment.

Key words
Glucocorticoid osteoporosis, fractures, glucocorticoid osteoporosis in children.

Please address correspondence and reprint request to: Lenore M. Buckley, MD, MPH, Virginia Commonwealth University, Division of General Medicine, Sanger Hall, Room 7-083, 1101 East Marshall Street, Box 980102, Richmond, VA 23298-0102, USA. 
E-mail: lbuckley@hsc.vcu.edu

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000; 18 (Suppl. 21): S41-S43.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.