S21_10

Bisphosphonates in the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

C. Roux, M. Dougados

Hôpital Cochin, Université René Descartes, Service de Rhumatologie, Paris, France.

ABSTRACT
Bisphosphonates are effective for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Their mechanism of action in this secondary osteoporosis is similar to the mechanism in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Patients with GIOP treated with bisphosphonates have a higher bone mineral density than placebo-treated patients (4% and 2% at the lumbar spine and femur, respectively). In addition, there is a trend for a reduction in vertebral fracture incidence in postmenopausal women. In parallel with general bone health measures, bisphosphonate therapy must be considered both in patients initiating and in those on chronic glucocorticoid therapy.

Key words
Osteoporosis, bisphosphonates, bone density, fractures, glucocorticoids.

Please address correspondence and reprint request to: Christian Roux, MD, PhD, Hôpital Cochin, Université René Descartes, Service de Rhumatologie, 27 rue du Faubourg St Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
E-mail: christian.roux@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr