Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis

Book excerpt: Osteoporosis is one of the most clinically relevant disabling chronic disease encountered in clinical practice. A common cause of osteoporosis is glucocorticoid excess, as glucocorticoids may increase bone resorption, inhibit bone formation, have indirect actions on bone by decreasing intestinal calcium absorption and induce hypercalciuria. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the effects of glucocorticoids on bone metabolism and structure and on the diagnosis and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. It aims at providing updated information on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this often dramatic complication of glucocorticoid excess. Being one of the few publications completely devoted to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis it will heighten the awareness of specialists who prescribe glucocorticoids of the clinical relevance of this treatment complication. 'Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis' is addressed to clinical experts as well as to general practitioners who will both benefit from the comprehensive and integrative view of the management of patients exposed to glucocorticoids.