Fractures May Be Less Prevalent In Patients Treated With Glucocorticoids Compared To Non-Users With Similar Bone Density.

a study, researchers found that “fractures were less prevalent in patients treated with glucocorticoids compared to non-users with similar bone density.” The investigators came to this conclusion after studying data on more than 20,200 “patients referred by primary or secondary providers for bone mineral density (BMD) estimation with dual X-ray absorptiometry of the spine based on the mean density of the L1 to L4 vertebrae and femoral neck.” The findings were presented at a rheumatology meeting. http://www.healio.com/rheumatology/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/online/%7B2c42d1b5-9ab1-4cd2-b01a-8091653f3464%7D/patients-treated-with-glucocorticoids-may-have-fewer-fractures-vs-patients-with-similar-bone-density “The surprising, apparently protective effects of GC on bone quality from this large cross-sectional study cannot be explained by known confounding factors,” the researchers wrote. “These results are likely subject to unmeasured confounding and need to be interpreted with caution.” - by Shirley Pulawski