| Theme |
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and bone metabolism |
| Title |
Prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis |
| Author |
Yoshiya Tanaka |
The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan |
| [ Summary ] |
Glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used to treat a variety of inflammatory and allergic diseases. Approximately one million people in Japan are known to take oral GCs. GCs cause a number of significant side effects, among them skeletal manifestations, such as osteoporosis and degenerative bone fractures which are major complications of GC therapy. However, few physicians are aware of the increased risk of fractures caused by GCs, and there is inadequate information concerning the effectiveness of prevention and treatment of GC induced osteoporosis. Recent multiple study evidence strongly indicates that bisphosphonates are effective for treatment and prophylaxis of GC-induced osteoporosis by improving both quantity and quality of bones, resulting in reduction of the numbers of fractures. |