Glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis

Abstract

Glucocorticoids are a group of drugs widely used in medical practice due to their unquestionable utility. Corticoid-induced osteoporosis is the main adverse event deriving from their systemic and long-term administration, being the most frequent cause of secondary osteoporosis. This implies an important health and socio-economic repercussion due to the complications it causes, such as fragility fractures, above all of vertebral origin, and the resultant functional incapacity. The bone loss is produced early, being greatest in the first few months of glucocorticoid use, in relation fundamentally to daily dose. The pathogenesis of this type of osteoporosis is multifactorial, but the inhibitory effect of corticoids on bone formation can be emphasised. The adequate management of this serious health problem requires an active attitude that is currently suboptimal. It involves similar diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic recommendations available for other, different causes of bone loss, but with certain particularities, especially including those referring to the self-management of corticosteroids. A multidisciplinary strategy is advisable, which has shown its effectiveness, mainly if it is carried out early, from the start of glucocorticoid therapy. Nevertheless, there are many questions to be clarified about aspects relating to therapy with corticosteroids in general, and to the osteoporosis caused by them in particular. What is needed is the evaluation and investigation of new treatments that will improve the effectiveness obtained with those in current use, in order to minimize the adverse consequences that glucocorticoid use has for the health of patients.