Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis:

“First, Do No Harm”

Karen E. Hansen, M.D.Assistant Professor of Medicine

Rheumatology SectionUniversity of WI

This CME program is sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Proctor & Gamble

Hippocrates, Father of Medicine

• I will neither give deadly drug to anybody who asks for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the prevalence of steroid use in clinical practice

2. Recall the adverse effects of steroids on bone

3. List treatment options for steroid induced osteoporosis

Who takes steroids?

• Over 5.5 million prescriptions issued by general practitioners in the United Kingdom in 1993

• An estimated 1% of adult Americans take steroids

• Among 65,786 patients in one large practice, continuous use of steroids was recorded in

– 0.5% of people ages 12-94 years– 1.7% of women age > 55 years

Walsh, BMJ 1996; 313:344-6

Prevalence of CIO

• Most common form of drug-related osteoporosis• Most common form of secondary osteoporosis in

both men and women• Between 30-50% of people taking steroids > 3

months experience fragility fractures– Vertebrae or ribs– Pelvis– Other sites

Caplan, J R Soc Med 1994;87:200-202Tannenbaum, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002;87:4431-37Johnson, Arch Int Med 1989;149:1069-1072

Emphysema and Asthma

CIO and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

*P<0.05 vs. ISU or NSU; **P<0.005 vs ISU. McEvoy CE, et al, 1998.

**

*

010

2030

4050

6070

Systemicsteroid users

(n=125)

Never steroid users

(n=117)

Inhaledsteroid users

(n=70)

Perc

ent

(%)

At least one vertebralfractureMultiple vertebralfractures (>2)Severe vertebralfractures

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Risk Factors for Bone Loss in RA

• 1110 patients with RA from five centers

• All patients enrolled in ARAMIS

• Questionnaire regarding fractures over past 13 years, and risk factors for fracture

• 50 variables investigated in univariate analysis, comparing 226 cases with fracture to the remaining controls

• Multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression to determine most important risk factors for fracture

Michel, J Rheumatol 1993;20:1666-9

Prednisone is the Most Important Risk Factor for Fracture in RA

• 7% increased risk of fracture per year of prednisone use

• Use for > 5 years was associated with a fracture rate of 33%

Michel, J Rheumatol 1993;20:1666-9

Is the Treatment Worse than the Disease?

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Mood Changes, Insomnia

• Cataracts, Glaucoma

• Infection

• Muscle Weakness

• Skin fragility

• Gastritis

• Avascular Necrosis

Osteoporosis

30-50 % of patients on chronic steroid therapy sustain osteoporotic fractures

Osteoporosis is not a benign disease,

particularly when compounded with another chronic disease.

BaselineBaseline One Year LaterOne Year Later

70 Year-Old Woman With Newly Diagnosed Temporal Arteritis

Complications of Osteoporosis

• Pain• Height loss• Kyphosis• Activity limitations• Constipation and other

abdominal symptoms• Psychological symptoms• Another fracture• Restrictive lung disease

The Consequences of Fracture

• Morbidity: pain, fear, limited mobility

• Mortality: one in four with hip fracture die within the following year

• Money: the financial cost of treating osteoporotic fractures is estimated at $10-15 billion annually

NIH Consensus Statement on Osteoporosis, 2000

http://consensus.nih.gov/cons/111/111_statement.htm#introduction

Gold, Bone 1996;18(S3):185-189

Mechanisms by Which Steroids Harm Bone

Cardinal Histologic Features ofSteroid-Induced Osteoporosis

Decreased bone formation rate

Decreased trabecular wall thickness

Decreased osteoblast function

In situ death of portions of bone

Manolagas, JBMR 1999;14:1061-1066

Bone Remodeling Cycle

11 22

33 44

With SteroidsWith Steroids

Manolagas SC. JBMR 1999;14:1063.

11 22

33 44

NormalNormal

OsteoclastOsteoclast OsteoblastOsteoblast

Decreased Osteoblast number

Premature osteoblast apoptosis

Incomplete repairof bone

Treatment with steroids causes:

• three fold increase in osteoblast apoptosis

• dramatically increased osteocyte apoptosis

• early increase in osteoclastic bone resorption

Manolagas, J Clin Invest 1998;102:274-282

Other Potential Contributing Factors that Lead to Bone Loss with Steroids

1. Sex Steroid Deficiency

2. Defective vitamin D metabolism with secondary hyperparathyroidism

3. Hypercalciuria

4. Underlying disease

5. Immobility related to underlying disease

Adler, Arch Intern Med 2003;163:2619-2624

Laan R, Ann Intern Med 1993;119:966.

00 2020 4444

44

22

00

--22

--44

--66

--88

--1010

% ChangeLumbar Trabecular

Bone Mineral Density(BMD)

Placebo(n = 17)

Prednisone(n = 13)

WeeksWeeks

Rapid BMD Decline Due to Glucocorticoidsin Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cessation of steroids

Fracture Risk with Steroids

• Retrospective cohort study using UK General Practice Research Database

• Controls matched to steroid users for age, gender

• 244,235 steroid users and 244,235 controls

• Mean age 57 years, 59% female

• Most frequent indication for steroids: respiratory disease (40%)

Van Staa TP, JBMR 2000;15:993-1000

Fracture Risk During Steroid Therapy

0.99

1.77 2.271.55

2.59

5.18

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Relative Risk

Hip Vertebral Fractures

< 2.5 mg2.5-7.5 mg> 7.5 mg

Van Staa TP, JBMR 2000;15:993-1000

Relative Risk of Fracture after Cessation of Steroids

020406080

100120140160180

Year 1 Year 2

Non

vert

ebra

l Fra

ctur

es

> 10 grams> 6 months

Suggests osteoblast recovery

Fracture Risk and Dose of Corticosteroids

Relative risk of fracture by dosages of prednisolone, van Staa TP, et al, 1998.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2.5 mg/d 2.5-7.5 mg/d >7.5 mg/d

Rel

ativ

e ris

k of

frac

ture

co

mpa

red

with

con

trol

Hip fractureVertebral fracture

Fracture Rates in Subjects with and without Steroid Use

05

10152025303540

-4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1

T-score

Perc

ent w

ith F

ract

ure

ControlsSteroid Users

Van Staa, Arthritis Rheum 2003;48(11):3224-3229

NormalNormalTrabecularTrabecularBoneBone

GIOPGIOPGIOPGIOP

BreakageBreakageof of TrabeculaeTrabeculae

GeneralizedGeneralizedThinningThinning

of of TrabeculaeTrabeculae

Overview of GIOP

– Initial rapid bone loss withinthe first months

– Trabecular (spine) bone preferentiallyaffected

– Bone loss may partially reverse withcessation of steroid

Who is at Risk for GIOP ?

– Both men and women

– Older adults more likely to fracture since baseline bone mass may be closer to fracture threshold

– Underlying steroid-requiring disease may also increase bone loss and/or fracture risk

Physician Perception Regarding Toxicity: rank the importance of 11 side effects of steroids

0102030405060708090

OP DM

Weight

Mood

Sleep

Muscle

Skin

65 yo woman45 year old woman45 year old man

Buckley, J Rheumatol 1998;25:2195-202

Do Physicians Treat CIO?

0102030405060708090

100Ha

rring

ton

Wal

sh

Peat

Receiving Treatment

PERCENT

Initial Clinical Work-Up of Steroid Induced Osteoporosis

Risk factors for bone loss

Physical exam

Laboratories

Bone density test

Guidelines for BMD Measurement

• Baseline BMD prior to/within 6 months of initiating therapy

• Follow-up every 6 months until bone mass shows no decline, then annually thereafter

• Be sure to measure spine bone mass, since loss of trabecular (vertebral) bone is more rapid

ISCD Guidelines, J Clin Densitom

Diagnosis of CIO: Biochemical Assessment

• 25-hydroxyvitamin D• Intact PTH• 24-hour urinary calcium• Testosterone, FSH, LH

• Complete blood count• creatinine• calcium• alkaline phosphatase• liver enzyme• phosphorus

Treatment

Management of CIO: Goals of Treatment

Prevent bone loss

Reduce fracture risk

Alleviate pain associated with existing fracture(s)

Maintain/increase muscle strength

Initiate lifestyle changes as needed

Vitamin D

Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials Using Vitamin D

• 10: Change in Lumbar Spine BMD at 12 months

• 20: Fracture Rates

• Pooled analysis of vitamin D and calcium versus no therapy or calcium only

• Pooled analysis of vitamin D with/without calcium versus bisphosphonate / calcitonin / flouride

Amin, Arthritis Rheum 1999;42(8):1740-1751

Vitamin D versus Calcium or No therapy

• 11 studies comprising 560 subjects

• 9 compared vitamin D with calcium to calcium only (n=5) or no therapy (n=4)

• Vitamin D doses range from 400 IU daily to 100,000 IU weekly

Amin, Arthritis Rheum 1999;42(8):1740-1751

Vitamin D versus Calcium or No therapy

• Pooled effect size of vitamin D plus calcium was 0.60 (CI 0.34-0.85) with a 3.2% increase in spine BMD

• Pooled effect size of vitamin D alone was 0.57 (CI 0.36-0.78)

• Fracture rates did not reach statistical significance, pooled effect size –0.89 (p=0.08)

Amin, Arthritis Rheum 1999;42(8):1740-1751

Meta-Analysis of Vitamin D for GIOPComparisons to No Rx/Calcium

WaradyWarady 19941994

Adachi 1996Adachi 1996

Buckley 1996Buckley 1996

TalalajTalalaj 19961996

BijlsmaBijlsma 19881988

SambrookSambrook 19931993

EmkeyEmkey 19941994

SambrookSambrook 19971997

ReginsterReginster 19991999

Pooled EffectPooled Effect

--1.51.5 --11 --0.50.5 00 0.50.5 11 1.51.5 22 2.52.5FavorsFavors Effect SizeEffect Size FavorsFavors

No Therapy/Calcium AloneNo Therapy/Calcium Alone Vitamin D Plus CalciumVitamin D Plus Calcium

Vs. no therapyVs. calcium alonePooled Effect

AminAmin S. et al. S. et al. Arthritis Rheum.Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42:17401999;42:1740--51.51.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT Increases Spine Bone Density Among Steroid Users

• 200 women with RA, including 21% on steroids

• Mean daily prednisone dose of ~7 mg

• Randomized to estradiol 50 μg patch or calcium 400 mg

• BMD of spine and hip at baseline, 12 and 24 months

• High withdrawal rate during study (26.5%)

• Steroid group analyzed separately, lower body weight and baseline bone mass in steroid users (p<0.05)

Hall GM, Arthritis Rheum 1994;10:1499-1505

66

22

00

--44

--6600 1212 2424

--22

44

% C

han

ge%

Cha

nge

Fem

oral

BM

DFe

mor

al B

MD

MonthsMonths

CalciumCalcium

HRTHRT(n = 17)(n = 17)

(n = 15)(n = 15)

Hall, Arthritis Rheum 1994;37:1499–1505

% C

han

ge%

Cha

nge

Lum

bar

BM

DLu

mba

r B

MD

Estrogen for GIOP Prevention

--6600 1212 2424

66

22

00

--44

--22

44(n = 18)(n = 18)

(n = 16)(n = 16)

CalciumCalcium

HRTHRT

MonthsMonths

No fractures in either group

P<0.05 P=ns

Testosterone Therapy

• 15 asthmatic men on long-term steroids with low serum testosterone

• Randomized to 12 months of IM testosterone 250 mg monthly or placebo

• Cross over to opposite therapy at 12 months, with 4 month “wash out” for those initially on testosterone

• One gram calcium for all subjects

• BMD every 4 months

Reid, Arch Intern Med 1996;156:1173-77

Testosterone Replacement Therapy in the Treatment of CIO

p=0.005 vs. baseline BMD; p=0.05 between-group difference Reid, Arch Intern Med 1996;156:1173-77

-5.0

-2.5

0.0

2.5

5.0

Testosterone Control

Cha

nges

in lu

mba

r spi

ne B

MD

(%)

at 1

yea

r

Calcitonin

A Comparison of Calcium, Calcitriol, and Calcitonin

• 103 patients starting long-term steroids randomized to one year of:

– Calcium, calcitriol, and calcitonin nasal spray 400 IU – Calcium and calcitriol 0.5-1.0 mg– Calcium 1,000 mg

• BMD every 4 months

• Spine radiographs at baseline, 1 and 2 years

Sambrook, NEJM 1993;328:1747

Calcitonin Maintains Spine Bone Mass

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1Pe

rcen

t Cha

nge

Spine FemoralNeck

Spine FemoralNeck

Calcium, Calcitriol,CalcitoninCalcium, Calcitriol

Calcium

One year Two years

P ns for difference between groups 1 and 2

P< 0.05 for difference between groups 1 and 2

Nasal Calcitonin Prevents Steroid Induced OP

• 31 subjects with PMR initiating prednisone > 10 mg daily

• Randomized to nasal calcitonin 100 IU or placebo nasal spray

• Calcium 800 mg daily

• Randomization stratified for age, sex, initial BMD, and initial steroid dose

• Primary outcome by ITT analysis: change in spine BMD at 12 months

Adachi, Brit J Rheumatol 1997;36:255-259

Calcitonin Prevents Bone Loss

-7-6

-5-4

-3-2

-10

Months

Perc

ent C

hang

e in

Spi

ne

BM

DCalcitonin Placebo

3 120 6

Adachi, Brit J Rheumatol 1997;36:255

Bisphosphonates: Cellular Action

Osteoclasts OsteoblastsBP

BP

Haemopoieticprecursors

BP

Osteoclastrecruitment

Alendronate for the Prevention and Treatment of Steroid Induced OP

• 477 patients taking > 7.5 mg prednisone daily

• Randomized to placebo or 5 or 10 mg of alendronate

• All subjects were given calcium 800-1000 mg and vitamin D 250-500 IU daily

• 48 week study

• Radiographs and BMD at baseline and 48 weeks

Saag, N Eng J Med 1998;339:292-9

Efficacy of Alendronate in Increasing BMD

*P <0.001 vs. control; **P <0.01 vs. control; †P <0.001 vs. baseline, ‡P <0.01 vs. baseline;Saag KG, et al, 1998.

-1.5

-0.5

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

Lumbar spine Femoral neck Trochanter Total bodyCha

nge

in B

MD

from

bas

elin

e (%

)at

48

wee

ksControl Alendronate 5 mg Alendronate 10 mg

* †

* †

* ‡ * ‡

‡

* * ‡

* †

* * †

Efficacy of Alendronate: Two Years Follow-Up

-4-3-2-101234

Lumbar spine Femoral neck Trochanter

Cha

nge

in B

MD

from

bas

elin

e (%

)

Control Alendronate 5 mg Alendronate 10 mg Alendronate 2.5 mg year 1, 10 mg year 2

*P<0.001 vs. control; **P<0.01 vs. control; †P<0.05 vs. control. Saag KG, et al, 1998.

**

** **

†

†

Reduction in Fractures with Alendronate

2.3

3.7

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

4

Perc

ent

48 weeks

New Fractures

AledronatePlacebo

Saag, N Eng J Med 1998;339:292-9

Risedronate Prevents Steroid Induced Bone Loss

• 228 patients

• Ages 18-85 years old

• Onset of > 7.5 mg of prednisone daily within past 3 months, with expected duration of > 12 months

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using 5 mg risedronate daily

• Calcium 500 mg daily

• Vitamin D < 500 IU daily for those with deficiency

Cohen S, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 1999;42(11):2309-2318

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3 6 9 12

Time (months)Time (months)

controlrisedronate 5.0 mg

Risedronate Prevents Lumbar Spine Bone Loss

p < 0 .05 vs (*) baseline and (†) control

Mea

n %

Mea

n %

chan

ge fr

om b

asel

ine

chan

ge fr

om b

asel

ine

*† †

*

* *

*

† †

Cohen S, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 1999;42(11):2309-2318

17 % havevertebralfracture

6 % have vertebral fracture

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3 6 9 12

Time (months)Time (months)

control risedronate 5.0 mg

Risedronate Prevents Femoral Neck Bone Loss

p < 0 .05 vs (*) baseline and (†) control

Mea

n %

Mea

n %

chan

ge fr

om b

asel

ine

chan

ge fr

om b

asel

ine

*† †

*

*

*

†

Cohen S, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 1999;42(11):2309-2318

Risedronate Increases Bone Mass in Subjects Already on Long-Term Steroids

• 290 men and women ages 18-85 years

• Prednisone > 7.5 mg daily for > 6 months

• Randomized to– risedronate 2.5 or 5 mg daily– placebo

• Calcium 1 gram, vitamin D 500 IU daily

• 12 month study with primary endpoint: change in lumbar spine bone density

Reid, JBMR 2000;15:1006-1013

% C

hang

e Fr

om

Bas

elin

e (±

SEM

)

–2

–1

0

1

2

3

4 * †

* †*

Risedronate Increases BMD in Patients on Long-term Glucocorticoid Therapy

Risedronate Increases BMD in Patients on Long-term Glucocorticoid Therapy

*p≤0.05 vs baseline; †p ≤0.05 vs controlReid DM, et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2000;15:1006-1013

Control Risedronate 5 mg

LumbarSpine

FemoralNeck

FemoralTrochanter

Risedronate Reduces Fracture Rates in Patients taking Glucocorticoid Therapy

0

6

12

18

24

Patients ContinuingTreatment

Patients InitiatingTreatment

Combined

Inci

denc

e, o

ne y

ear (

%)

70%

p=0.01

Control Risedronate 5 mg

Absolute risk reduction = 11% (combined)All patients were taking >7.5 mg oral prednisone or equivalentWallach S, et al. Calcif Tissue Int. 2000;67:277-285.

0

5

10

15

20

Pooled control patients Pooled risedronatepatientsPa

tient

s w

ith v

erte

bral

frac

ture

s (%

)

Effect of Risedronate on Vertebral Fracture Rates

Pooled vertebral fracture rates from 518 patients on steroid therapy. *P=0.016 vs. control. Reid D, et al, 1998.

*

70% reduction

Treatment Number of Change in lumbar pooled trials spine BMD (%)*

Vitamin D 18 +1.96

Calcitonin 11 +2.11

Bisphosphonates 18 +5.31†

Bisphosphonates in the Management of CIO: A Meta-Analysis

*Compared with no treatment or with calcium alone†P=0.0001 compared with calcitonin or vitamin D

FDA Approved Treatments for Steroid Induced Osteoporosis

Alendronate (Fosamax)

Risedronate (Actonel)

Intravenous Ibandronate

• 115 men and women• Lumbar spine T-score below -2.5• Steroid therapy continuously for 2 years• Steroid dose > 7.5 mg daily

Ringe, Osteoporos Int 2003;14:801

Intravenous Ibandronate

• Open-label single center trial

• All patients received calcium 500 mg daily

• Patient pairs, matched for baseline characteristics, were assigned to– Daily oral alfacalcidol 1 mcg– IV ibandronate 2 mg every 3 months

Ringe, Osteoporos Int 2003;14:801

Lumbar Bone Mass over 36 Months

02468

10121416

6 12 18 24 36

Months

Mea

n C

hang

e, %

IbandronateAlfacalcidiol

p<0.001

Ibandronate Reduces Rate of New Compression Fracture

0

5

10

15

20

25Pe

rcen

t with

New

Ve

rteb

ral F

ract

ure

36Months

alfacalcidiol ibandronate

p=0.043, 62% reduction

Cyclical Etidronate and Prevention of Corticosteroid-Induced Bone Loss

Roux et al (N=117) Adachi et al (N=141)

*P<0.05 between-group difference Adachi JD, et al, 1997. Roux, J Clin Endocrnol Metab 1998;83:1128-33

**

-4-3-2-1012

Lumbarspine

Femoralneck

Trochanter Lumbarspine

Femoralneck

Trochanter

Cha

nges

in B

MD

from

ba

selin

e (%

) at

1 y

ear Etidronate Control

*

0

2

4

6

Lumbar spine* Femoral neck TrochanterChan

ge in

BM

D fr

om b

asel

ine

(%)

Men Pre-menopausal women Post-menopausal women

Etidronate: Pooled Results from Three Randomized Trials

*P<0.05 between-group difference. Roux C, et al,1998.

Pamidronate

• 32 patients beginning steroids > 10 mg daily for > 3 months

• Randomized to one of three groups– Pamidronate 90 mg iv once plus calcium– Pamidronate 90 mg iv then 30 mg q 3 months plus calcium– Calcium 800 mg once daily

– 9 patients per group with similar baseline characteristics

Boutsen, JBMR 2001;16:104-112

Change in Bone Mass at 12 Months

-5-4-3-2-1012345

Perc

ent C

hang

e

L1-L4

Total H

ipFem

oral N

eck

Troch

anter

Pamidronate 1Pamidronate 3Calcium

**

*

*

* Denotes p <0.05

no new fractures in either group with

radiographs at baseline and 12 months

Parathyroid Hormone for Steroid Induced Osteoporosis

• 51 postmenopausal women with T-score < -2.5

• All taking HRT for at least one year

• All taking prednisone for the past year

• Randomized to PTH or no therapy

• All given calcium 1500 mg daily

• All given 2 multivitamins daily

Lane, J Clin Invest 1998;102:1627-1633

-202468

1012

Perc

ent C

hang

e

L1-L4

Total H

ipNec

k

Troch

anter

Radius

Total H

ip, 24

m

PTH and HRT HRT only

The Premenopausal Woman and Bisphosphonates

• Bisphosphonates cross the placenta in rats

• Bisphosphonates given to pregnant rats decreased post-implantation survival, body weight, and fetal ossification

• Bisphosphonates caused prolonged hypocalcemiaand protracted parturition

• Bisphosphonates given to pregnant rabbits had no adverse outcomes

The Premenopausal Woman and Bisphosphonates

• The terminal half life of alendronate in humans is > 10 years

• Mobilization of calcium from the maternal skeleton is crucial for fetal development

• However, a limited number of pregnancies reported to Merck in patients on alendronate show no adverse effects

• Bisphosphonates are considered “Pregnancy Category C

• Use of bisphosphonates should be considered carefully in pre-menopausal women who may in future become pregnant

Time Points to Begin GIOP Rx

• Primary PreventionAt initiation of glucocorticoid therapy

• Secondary PreventionAfter detection of low BMD, but before fractures

• Tertiary PreventionAfter osteoporosis insufficiency fractures

ACR Task Force on Osteoporosis: Initiating Long-Term (>6 months)

Corticosteroid TherapyBaseline BMD

Calcium, vitamin D supplementationPatient education

Modify other risk factorsT score < -1Initiate bisphosphonates

2nd line- consider calcitonin

T score > -1

6-12 months follow-up:Repeat BMD

Decrease >5%: change/add medicationStable or increased: no change in therapy

American College of Rheumatology Task Force on Osteoporosis Guidelines, 2001

Calcium and Vitamin DConsider bisphosphonate to prevent OP

Repeat DXA in 6-12 months

If Hypogonadal,Consider HRT

What shall I do if the duration of steroids is uncertain?

• The US Preventive Task Force recommends screening DXA for all women > 65 years old, and for women between age 60-65 who have low body weight or do not take estrogens

• The ISCD recommends that men receive a screening DXA at age 70

• A DXA will be paid for if a patient is taking steroids, has suffered a low-trauma fracture, or has a dorsal kyphosis

First, Do No Harm

Any patient on steroids

presents an

opportunity to perform

primary, secondary or tertiary

treatment of

steroid induced bone loss

Lumbar Spine

% C

han

ge%

Ch

ange

From

Bas

elin

eFr

om B

asel

ine

at 2

4 M

onth

sat

24

Mon

ths

22

11

00

--11

--22

--33

--44TrochanterFemoral

Neck

Buckley LM et al. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125:961–968.* * PP < 0.005< 0.005****PP < 0.025< 0.025

* **

Calcium Plus Vitamin D3

Calcium + D (n = 47)Calcium + D (n = 47)Placebo (n = 49)Placebo (n = 49)

Adapted from Adachi JD. Semin Arth Rheum. 1993;22:377.

↓ OsteoblasticBone Formation

OSTEOPOROSIS

↓ ↓ FSH InducedFSH InducedSex HormoneSex Hormone

ProductionProduction

↓ ↓ LH ResponseLH Responseto LHRHto LHRH

↓ ↓ Sex Hormone Sex Hormone

↓ ↓ CalciumCalcium

↑ ↑ PTHPTH

↓ ↓ G.I. CalciumG.I. CalciumAbsorptionAbsorption

↑ ↑ Urinary CalciumUrinary CalciumExcretionExcretion

Glucocorticoids

↑ OsteoclasticBone Resorption

EstrogenEstrogenTestosteroneTestosterone

Anabolic AgentsAnabolic Agents

CalciumCalciumVitamin DVitamin D ThiazidesThiazides

BisphosphonatesBisphosphonatesCalcitoninCalcitonin

The Effects of Inhaled and Oral Steroids on Bone Mass in Asthmatics

Lumbar Spine BMD

Change

Low Dose Inhaled Steroid

0.916 0.914 g -0.001

High Dose Inhaled Steroid

0.848 g 0.835 g -0.016

< 2.5 Steroid Tapers yearly

0.917 0.925 0.010

> 2.5 Steroid Tapers yearly

0.844 0.802 -0.047

Matsumoto, Chest 2001;120:1468-1473