title: Osteoporosis associated with excess glucocorticoids.
abstract: Excess glucocorticoids, whether endogenous or exogenous, can cause osteoporosis and fractures. Even low doses of oral glucocorticoids and mild endogenous hypercortisolism may be associated with bone loss. Patients treated with glucocorticoids, however, often are not evaluated and treated for this problem. Patients on chronic glucocorticoids or initiating these drugs should have their bone density measured and appropriate laboratory studies. They should be treated with adequate calcium and vitamin D, and antiresorptive therapy (particularly bisphosphonates) should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine-Diabetes Center, St. Luke's Medical Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, 2801 West KK River Parkway, Suite 245, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA. joseph.shaker@aurora.org
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.forename: Barbara P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Lukert
mesh_terms: D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D047748:Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids