Postmenopausal Bone Density Unaffected by Inhaled Corticosteroids

A study has shown that the use of inhaled corticosteroids does not decrease bone density in postmenopausal women. The study appeared in the January 2002 issue of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Long-term use of corticosteroids in oral form has been linked to adverse effects, including osteoporosis. The study involved a group of postmenopausal women, of whom 106 had been using inhaled corticosteroids; 49 had been using oral, inhaled, and intra-articular injections; and 674 had not been using any form of corticosteroids. Researchers performed forearm bone density tests on the women.

The results showed no difference in bone density between the group using inhaled corticosteroids and the group using none, and found no relationship between inhaled corticosteroid dose levels and bone density. However, bone density was found to be lower among the women using oral corticosteroids, which is consistent with the findings of other studies.

The study was led by Solve Elmstahl, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Lund University and Goteberg University in Sweden.





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