title: Corticosteroid osteoporosis: practical implications of recent trials.
abstract: Corticosteroids are widely used and effective agents for control of many inflammatory diseases, but osteoporosis is a common problem associated with their long-term use. Several large double-blind controlled clinical trials in patients with corticosteroid osteoporosis recently have been published, indicating it is possible to prevent or reverse this bone loss. Ultimately, the aim of treatment is to prevent fractures, especially vertebral fractures that are the most common type of fracture associated with corticosteroid therapy, yet it remains unclear exactly which patients should receive prophylaxis. Understanding the differences between these trials is key to interpreting the results, which have important practical implications for patient management.
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sambrook
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004164:Diphosphonates; D014807:Vitamin D; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium