Epidemiology - dose and rate of bone loss, risk factors; patterns of corticosteroid use; pathophysiology of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis - bone formation, bone resorption, calcium absorption and excretion, vitamin D levels, hormone levels; risk assessment -biochemical assessment, radiologic assessment, bone mineral density assessment; therapeutic options - candidate for treatment, overview of therapeutic options, bisphosphonates, effects of bisphosphonates on bone mineral density, bone mineral density treatment studies, fracture reduction with bisphosphonate therapy, hormone replacement therapy, calcitonin, fluoride, anabolic therapy, vitamin D and its analogues, thiazide diuretics, summary of therapeutic options; patient management - patient background and risk factors, bone mineral density measurements, secondary causes of osteoporosis, corticosteroid dose, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, exercise, pharmacologic intervention, patient follow-up. Conclusion. References.
