Therapeutic Management of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis with a Focus on Older Adults: A Narrative Review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis and constitutes an important health problem, associated with an increased risk of fractures, significant morbidity and mortality, and long-term decreased quality of life. Aging is linked to extensive multimorbidity, polypharmacy, physical and mental disability, and an increased risk of falls, rendering management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in the older population particularly challenging. On a pathophysiological level, aging is associated with declining osteoblast activity, increased osteoclast activity, and increased bone marrow adiposity; effects that are all accentuated by glucocorticoids. In this narrative review, we discuss the pathophysiology of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and focus on the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the various pharmaceutical agents used in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, as well as their efficacy, tolerability and safety, especially in older individuals.
Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 49-67 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Drugs and Aging |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 15 Dec 2025 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2026 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
| ORCID | /0009-0001-9754-1334/work/202353759 |
|---|---|
| ORCID | /0000-0002-6862-1650/work/202353976 |