The effects of inhaled corticosteroids on bone mineral density in male patients with bronchial asthma

الملخص EN

Objective : the aim of the study is to assess the effect of Inhaled steroids on bone density in male patients with bronchial asthma.

Methods : this retrospective analysis included 102 male patients with bronchial asthma, mean age 51 years (range ; 22-80).

All has been using inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate or budesonide with average dosage of 800 ug / day (600- 1200) at least for the last year.

Patients then were subdivided into 3 groups according to duration of inhalational steroid use: group 1: < 5years (n = 17), group 2: 5-10 years (n = 57) and group 3: >10years (n = 28).

Bone mineral density was measured from lumbar spine (L1-4) and non dominant proximal femur by dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry with a Hologic QDR-IO00 densitometer (Holologic Inc., Waltham, Mass).

ANOVA test was used in statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered significant Results : Over all frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia within our study group were 48 % and 43 % respectively.

In the left femur, those values were 58 % and 8 % respectively.

Frequency of osteoporosis in lumbar vertebrae and left femur in the above 3 groups classified according to duration of inhalational steroid use were: group 1: 6 % & 0 %, Group 2: 42 % & 9 % and group 3: 71 % &5 % respectively.

BMDs, T-scores and Z- scores were lower in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1(p < 0.05).

Conclusion : our study shows high frequency of osteoporosis among men treated with inhalational steroids.

Therefore, screening strategy is recommended within 5 years after initiation of treatment.