Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
(Part 1)
Glucocorticoids are also called corticosteroids or steroids, as well as prednisone or methylprednisolone.
Treatment with glucocorticoids for autoimmune diseases, inflammatory arthritis or other health problems may weaken bones.
This can lead to osteoporosis. Other risk factors include older age, smoking cigarettes, heavy alcohol use, small bone structure, Asian or non-Hispanic white background, family history of osteoporosis, and prior fracture due to low impact injury after age 50.
Treatment to protect bones can help prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
What Are the Signs/Symptoms?
Weakened bones and increased fracture risk are the main signs of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Patients taking glucocorticoids have a rapid loss of bone, even within the first six months of treatment, and have a much higher rate of bone fractures.
Osteoporotic fractures may lead to chronic pain, long-term disability, and even death. Osteoporosis can be detected by a bone mineral density (BMD) scan test.
BMD scans are also called DXA scans – dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. A DXA scan is a quick, painless test to measure BMD. Pregnant women should not get the DXA scan, as it could harm the fetus. (To be continued)