Corticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis

The pathogenesis of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis is multifactorial:
▪ Corticosteroids reduce osteoblastic activity, and the resulting osteoblast/osteoclast imbalance causes loss of bone.
▪ Corticosteroids reduce intestinal calcium absorption and lower circulating sex steroid levels.
▪ Corticosteroid induced bone loss is fastest in the first 6-12 months of therapy

Reference

Walsh LJ, Wong CA, Pringle M, Tattersfield AE. Use of oral corticosteroids in the community and the prevention of secondary osteoporosis: a cross sectional study. Br Med J 1996;313:344-6