Steroid-induced osteoporosis: Are your asthmatic patients at risk?

Asthmatic patients who rely on long-term, high-dose corticosteroid therapy are at increased risk for osteoporosis. The use of low-dose inhaled corticosteroids may be safe enough not to require special assessment of bone loss or preventive measures. However, evidence is lacking on the risks of long-term use of higher doses. Regardless of dose, all patients given long- term systemic corticosteroids should be carefully examined and, if necessary, treated for bone loss.