Recognizing and Treating Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Patients With Pulmonary Diseases

Skeletal microstructural abnormalities in postmenopausal women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…Chronic use of systemic glucocorticoids was thought to be the major cause of bone loss. (14,15) However, osteoporosis and fractures also have been reported in patients who have never taken glucocorticoids. (4,5) Several other factors associated with the disease itself may contribute to bone loss in these patients, including release of inflammatory cytokines from the lungs into the circulation, hypercapnia, low body mass index (BMI), hypoxia, decreased fat-free mass, hypogonadism, vitamin D deficiency, poor nutrition, and immobility.…”

Vertebral fractures in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the EOLO Study

“…Moreover, there is a growing conviction that osteoporosis is one of the most relevant systemic effects associated with COPD [3][4][5]. Depending on the study populations, as many as 35-72% of patients with COPD have been reported to be osteopenic and 36-60% of patients with COPD are osteoporotic [3].…”

Categorizing Asthma Severity: An Overview of National Guidelines

“…Growth velocity does transiently decrease with initiation of inhaled corticosteroid treatment in prepubertal children, but this effect does not seem to result in diminution of actual height attained. 17,18 The risk of developing either cataracts 19,20 or osteoporosis 21 is small. Skin bruising does occur with long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids, especially in the elderly, but this is primarily a cosmetic problem.…”