Osteoporosis and women have a long drawn association. While treating men with glucocorticoids little do we consider osteoporosis risk. A second thought on this side effect is a must, while treating a case of fracture or with on going steroid treatment in men.

Team@CMHF

Osteoporosis and fractures are a common consequence of glucocorticoid therapy for inflammatory disorders. Men fracture approximately 10 years later in life than women and receive less attention to osteoporosis risk, including in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP).

Attempts to improve recognition of GIOP in general have not been successful, and because men are considered less at risk for osteoporosis in general, attention to men with GIOP is even less. Evaluation of GIOP is similar in men and women, and most modern treatment studies of GIOP have included men.

Thus, alendronate, risedronate, and zoledronic acid are FDA-approved bisphosphonates for GIOP in men. Teriparatide is also FDA approved for GIOP. In one 36 month trial of teriparatide versus alendronate for GIOP in men and women, the anabolic agent increased bone density more and was associated with a lower incidence of morphologic vertebral fractures.

Thus, while good management is available for GIOP, recognition of men at risk is the most important step in improving outcomes.

Ref: http://www.docguide.com/glucocorticoid-induced-osteoporosis-men?hash=80445d1a&eid=20362&alrhash=2efbb8-880279c42369cc2f8adcb48a6daaf3d2

For: Allopaths