Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Tension-Free Weight-Bearing Model of Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Rats
Published on: September 27, 2024
Current management of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis: variations in awareness and management
J G Ryan1, R K Morgan, P J Lavin
1Department of Rheumatology, Beaumont Hospital and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
Guidelines for the prevention of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis (CIO) have been widely published. There are no guidelines on the use of gastro-protectants with corticosteroids (CS).
Aims:
To determine whether patients receiving CS therapy are evaluated and treated for osteoporosis risk, how management varied by steroid dose and diagnosis, and how many patients received gastro-protection.
Methods:
A retrospective audit of 4,350 patients presenting to four medical specialities.
Results:
One hundred and fifty-one patients prescribed CS were identified. Indications for CS therapy included renal transplantation (32%) and asthma/respiratory diseases (23%), inflammatory arthritis/vasculitis (32%) and inflammatory bowel disease/auto-immune hepatitis/other (13%). Risk of osteoporosis was mentioned in 13% of charts. The prescription rates for bone protection agents varied from 69% to 4% according to the medical speciality attended. Gastro-protectants were prescribed for 44% of patients.
Conclusion:
There are large variations among medical specialties both in the prescription of gastro-protectant agents and in the use of measures to prevent CIO. Simpler guidelines could facilitate rational prescribing in these patients.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
