Beneath the Surface: Exploring Hidden Threats of Long-Term Corticosteroid Therapy to Bone Density

Abstract

Within the field of medical treatments, corticosteroids are potent substances that efficiently reduce inflammation and immunological responses, making them essential for the management of a wide range of medical ailments. However, continued use of these synthetic drugs presents a serious risk: the onset of osteoporosis brought on by corticosteroids. Determining the complex pathways by which corticosteroids cause a general disturbance in bone metabolism, suppress osteoblast function, increase osteoclast activity, and upset the delicate balance of bone remodelling emphasizes the need for all-encompassing management and prevention approaches. In this review, we aim to expose the complexities of corticosteroid-induced bone loss and urge for personalized, proactive measures to improve long-term therapeutic outcomes.

Keywords: bone density; bone loss; bone mineral density; corticosteroid; corticosteroid use.

Figure 1. A summary of the inflammatory mechanism of corticosteroids

Th: T helper cells, IL: interleukins; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; INF: interferon. It is an original artwork designed by the authors.