Osteoporosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoporosis, including details on symptoms, treatment, prevention, causes.

Cross-sectional study of bisphosphonate use in dermatology patients receiving long-term oral corticosteroid therapy.

Liu RH, Albrecht J, Werth VP

Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patients had received bisphosphonates at the beginning of planned long-term glucocorticoid therapy, which is recommended by the guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, prior to referral to a tertiary dermatology clinic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: We reviewed 35 patients from an established cohort of patients referred with chronic skin diseases that require prolonged glucocorticoid use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The use of osteoporosis prophylaxis was determined by medical chart review and communication with patients. RESULTS: Of 35 patients, 28 (80%) were not receiving any bisphosphonates at referral. These patients began glucocorticoid therapy 17 months (median, 6 months; range, 1-102 months) prior to referral. The proportion of patients treated with bisphosphonates in our cohort did not change after the guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology were published. CONCLUSIONS: For patients of non-child-bearing potential with dermatological diseases in which prolonged oral corticosteroid treatment is anticipated, bisphosphonates should be prescribed concomitantly with the initiation of glucocorticoid therapy.

Published 17 January 2006 in Arch Dermatol, 142(1): 37-41.
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