Endocrine Abstracts

Glucorticoids (GCs) belong since their discovery to the standard therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a severe auto-inflammatory bone disease. One major side effect of GCs affects the skeleton itself leading to GC induced osteoporosis (GIO), the most secondary osteoporosis.To optimize anti-inflammatory therapies utilizing steroids a profound understanding of GC action on the interface of inflammation and skeletal integrity is required.<p class="abst...

Osteoporosis is an emerging medical and socioeconomic problem leading to fragility fractures, loss of mobility, chronic pain and cost to the individual and society. Diagnosis is often established only after fracture, although modern techniques exist to make the diagnosis early on where specific therapy is possible. Apart from calcium and vitamin D supplementation and lifestyle counseling, bisphosphonates have become the mainstay of therapy. However, long-term adherence with bi...

Osteoporosis is a common complication of oral glucocorticoid therapy and is associated with significant morbidity. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is characterised by rapid bone loss and increased fracture risk during the first few months of therapy. The increase in fracture risk is dose-related and most prominent in the spine. Although awareness of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis has increased in recent years, the condition remains under-diagnosed and under-treated.</...