[Measures for osteoporosis in the dermatological field--vitamin D3 and bisphosphonate]

Steroid-induced osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis in the dermatological diseases, but there have been only few data concerning the treatment based on clinical evidences. For management of osteoporosis, the efficacy of vitamin D(3) and bisphosphonate had been demonstrated by meta-analytic approach. Ten dermatological patients in our clinic who had received long-term oral steroids and showed bone loss were treated with 5 mg/day of alendronate for one year, and showed significant increase in the bone mineral density of the lumbar spine. In dermatological patients requiring long-term systemic steroids, administration of drugs such as vitamin D(3) or bisphosphonate should be started earlier.