95043686 Steroid induced osteoporosis: An opportunity for prevention?

Abstract

Objective-To determine the frequency with which osteoporosis prophylaxis is given to corticosteroid treated hospital inpatients. Methods-All patients receiving systemic corticosteroids in a large teaching hospital over a three month period were identified through routine prescription monitoring by hospital ward pharmacists. Coprescription of antiosteoporotic therapy was recorded, along with other relevant details such as steroid dose, actual, or intended duration of therapy, and indication for therapy. Results-Corticosteroids were prescribed to 214 patients over the study period, giving an average rate of 25 new prescriptions each day. Indications included: chest disease (n = 84; 39.2%), cancer (n = 17; 7'9%), inflammatory bowel disease (n = 16; 7/5%), rheumatoid arthritis/connective tissue disease (n = 16; 7.5O/), and renal diseases (n = 7; 3 3/3%). One hundred and twelve patients (52.3%) were receiving short term steroid therapy (less than four months); 66 (37%) were receiving medium/long term steroid therapy (four months or more). In 36 cases (16.8%) the duration of therapy was unknown. Only 12 of the 214 patients