THE EFFECT OF LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM CORTICOSTEROIDS ON PLASMA CALCITONIN AND PARATHYROID-HORMONE LEVELS

The role of calcitonin and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in corticosteroid -induced osteoporosis is controversial. We therefore measured plasma c alcitonin and PTH levels in 34 adults receiving chronic pharmacologica l corticosteroids for obstructive airways disease, and in controls mat ched for age, sex, menopause, and disease. In addition, the acute effe ct of a 7-day course of 15 mg prednisolone daily on fasting and calciu m-stimulated calcitonin was studied in 10 normal male volunteers. Ther e was no difference in calcitonin and PTH levels in the corticosteroid -treated patients when compared with controls. The corrected serum cal cium was significantly higher in the steroid-treated patients (patient s mean 2.40 (SEM 0.01) mmol/liter; controls mean 2.33 (SEM 0.01) mmol/ liter; P < 0.001). The short course of corticosteroids in volunteers d id not alter basal or stimulated calcitonin, PTH, or calcium levels. T hese results suggest that neither calcitonin deficiency nor PTH excess is a feature of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.