Prevention of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis - Results of a patient survey

Objective. To evaluate the current use of bone densitometry and agents to p revent bone loss among long-term corticosteroid users. Methods. A telephone survey of patients receiving long-term oral corticoste roid treatment. Results. One hundred forty-seven patients receiving a mean prednisone dose of 10 mg per day for an average of 1-2 years were surveyed. Twenty-nine per cent reported having a bone density test, 29% were taking calcium supplemen ts, and 45% were receiving vitamin D, Forty percent of postmenopausal (PMP) women were receiving hormone replacement therapy and 14%, bisphosphonate t reatment. Forty-two percent of PMP women were receiving no preventive treat ment. Patients who were evaluated by primary care physicians and rheumatolo gists were more likely to have undergone bone density testing and to have r eceived preventive treatments than were patients of other specialists. Conclusion. Many patients receive inadequate treatment to prevent corticost eroid-induced osteoporosis, and physician specialty is an important predict or of bone density testing and treatment. A broad educational effort direct ed to physicians of varied specialties is needed to ensure that osteoporosi s prevention becomes the standard of care for patients receiving long-term corticosteroid treatment.