New Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Treatment Guidelines

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For More Information, ContactTammy Cussimanio (404) 633-3777 [email protected]

American College of Rheumatology Releases New Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis Treatment Guidelines

New guidelines for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis have been published in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Glucocorticoid therapy is associated with a number of significant side effects, of which bone loss resulting in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and an increase in fracture risk is the most serious. Due to major advancements in the understanding and management of this disease, the ACR has updated its guidelines after only five years.

The article reviews new information on the mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and the role of glucocorticoid therapy as a risk factor for fractures. It then covers pharmacologic treatment strategies, including the use of calcium supplements, vitamin D and its active metabolites, hormone replacement therapy, and the newer bisphosphonates, alendronate and risedronate. Strategies for both prevention of bone loss and fractures in patients initiating glucocorticoid therapy, as well as treatment of patients with established glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis are presented. Data are also reviewed for therapies still under investigation including anabolic agents such as parathyroid hormone.

The article was written by the ACR Ad Hoc Committee on Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis. Members of the ad hoc committee are Lenore Buckley, MD, MPH, of Richmond, Virginia; Maria Greenwald, MD, of Palm Springs, California; Marc Hochberg, MD, MPH of Baltimore; Nancy Lane, MD, of San Francisco; Stephen Lindsay, MD, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Stephen Paget, MD, of New York, New York; Ken Saag, MD, MSc, of Birmingham, Alabama; and Lee Simon, MD, of Boston.

The ACR develops practice guidelines for the purposes of reducing inappropriate care, controlling geographic variations in practice patterns, and making effective use of health care resources. They are not intended to supercede a clinician's professional judgment.

The article, "Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis," is currently online at www.rheumatology.org.

The ACR is the professional organization for rheumatologists and health professionals who share a dedication to healing, preventing disability and curing arthritis and related rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The ACR's 65th Annual Scientific Meeting, held Nov. 10 through Nov. 15 in San Francisco, will feature more than 2,000 presentations on the pathophysiology, treatment and epidemiology of arthritis and related diseases. For more information, see www.rheumatology.org.

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Dr. Buckley can be reached at (804) 828-5129 or [email protected].

Dr. Greenwald can be reached at (760) 341-6800.

Dr. Hochberg can be reached at (410) 706-6474 or [email protected]. He has relationships with Merck & Co., Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Procter & Gamble, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth-Ayerst, Biomatrix, NEGMA Laboratories, Sanofi-Synthelab, Johnson & Johnson, and Eli Lilly & Co.

Dr. Lane can be reached at (415) 206-8189 or [email protected].

Dr. Lindsey can be reached at (504) 761-5353 or [email protected].

Dr. Paget can be reached at (212) 606-1845 or [email protected].

Dr. Saag can be reached at (205) 934-0893 or [email protected]. He has relationships with Merck & Co., Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth-Ayerst, Proctor & Gamble, and Eli Lilly & Co.

Dr. Simon can be reached at (617) 667-2067 or [email protected]. He has relationships with Abgenix, Amgen, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caremarke, Centacor, Eli Lilly & Co., Forest Pharmaceuticals, G.D. Searle & Co., Immunex, La Jolla Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Merck-Medco, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacia, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble, Vertex.