Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is a major cause of secondary osteoporosis that starts early after the beginning of therapy even for low drug doses. Glucocorticoids are used for the treatment of immunologic nephropathies and in the setting of kidney transplant. In clinical practice, a number of algorithms are available; they allow us to estimate the long-term risk of major osteoporotic fracture; but none of them is specific for GIO. To date, the therapeutic approach comprises both general measures aimed at correcting calcium and vitamin D intake, and drugs (bisphosphonates, teriparatide, hormone replacement therapy, denosumab) that ameliorate bone mineral density and patient outcomes.
Keywords: bisphosphonates; calcium; denosumab; glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis; teriparatide; vitamin D.
Copyright by Società Italiana di Nefrologia SIN, Rome, Italy.