Trends in Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis

Current clinical trials are investigating the efficacy of anti-osteoporotic medications in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Researchers wanted to determine longitudinal patterns and predictors for the utilisation of bone mass measurements and anti-osteoporotic medications in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. The study consisted of a managed care population of 7 million persons, whereby 3125 adult men and women who had initiated longterm glucocorticoid therapy were identified (>/= 7.5 mg/day of prednisone equivalent for > 6 mo). The study population was examined by 3 biennial intervals between years 1996 and 2001 for receipt of a bone mass measurement and use of anti-osteoporotic medication (bisphosphonate, calcitonin, raloxifene, hormone replacement therapy). The results of the study showed that: receipt of a bone mass measurement increased among postmenopausal women from 10% in 1996-97 to 19% in 2000-01, but remained below 6% in all biennial intervals among women under age 50 and men. Secondly, the use of anti-osteoporotic medication was most common among postmenopausal women, where it approached 50%. The largest absolute increase in anti-osteoporotic medication utilisation was among women ages 65 and over, increasing from 24% in 1996-97 to 44% in 2000-01. The specialty of physician providing care was associated with receipt of both testing and treatment. Odds of receipt of a bone mass measurement and anti-osteoporotic medication were 3 to 4 times greater among patients of rheumatologists compared to those of internists or family practitioners. The researchers concluded that for patients initiating longterm glucocorticoid therapy, the proportion of individuals receiving a bone mass measurement or anti-osteoporotic medication remains relatively low, but has improved temporally among postmenopausal women. (Source: Journal of Rheumatology: July 15; 2006).