Osteoporosis risk with Topical Corticosteroids

Osteoporosis
Study: Higher doses of topical corticosteroids linked to increased risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures

Higher doses of topical corticosteroids linked to increased risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures!

Do steroid creams affect bone health – Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures?

According to this research, larger dosages of topical corticosteroids, which are routinely used to treat inflammatory skin disorders, are related with an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures caused by weak bones. The findings, which are based on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, were published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

The researchers matched 129,682 osteoporosis cases and 34,999 major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) cases by sex and age to 518,728 and 139,996 controls (without osteoporosis or MOF).

The researchers discovered strong dose-response associations between long-term topical corticosteroid usage and osteoporosis and MOF. In comparison to no dosages, low, medium, and high cumulative doses of topical corticosteroids were linked with 1.22-, 1.26-, and 1.34-fold higher risks of developing osteoporosis over five years. These doses were associated with 1.12-, 1.19-, and 1.29-fold increased risks of experiencing MOF, respectively. Women were more likely than men to develop osteoporosis and MOF. Furthermore, when compared to other age groups, younger adults (50 years) had a higher risk of osteoporosis.

“This study emphasizes that using topical corticosteroids to treat inflammatory skin conditions should be done very carefully and clinicians should be aware of these potential side effects.”

Chia-Yu Chu, MD PhD, corresponding author of National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine

Source: Wiley

For more information: Hsieh, B-J., et al. (2023) Higher cumulative dose of topical corticosteroids is associated with osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fracture: A nationwide case–control study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. doi.org/10.1111/jdv.19697.

Rachel Paul is a Senior Medical Content Specialist. She has a Masters Degree in Pharmacy from Osmania University. She always has a keen interest in medical and health sciences. She expertly communicates and crafts latest informative and engaging medical and healthcare narratives with precision and clarity. She is proficient in researching, writing, editing, and proofreading medical content and blogs.

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