New perspectives in the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

M.L. Brandi

ABSTRACT
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis represents an important proportion of the so-called secondary osteoporoses. The pathogenetic bases of this disorder have been uncovered, making possible a rational approach to the prevention and therapy of bone complications in various types of patients undergoing corticoid treatment. Apart from the universally accepted inverventions (i.e., calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates, etc.), a number of new, potentially useful drugs are under investigation. 
In this chapter we will review our accumulated knowledge of these compounds, which should certainly contribute to enlarge the armamentarium of the physician who is going to treat patients with glucocorticoids.

Key words
Glucocorticoids, osteoporosis, drugs.

Please address correspondence and reprint request to: Maria Luisa Brandi, MD,  Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
E mail: m.brandi@dfc.unifi.it

Clin Exp Rheumatology 2000; 18 (Suppl. 21): S74-S78.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.