Oral corticosteroids and fracture risk: relationship to daily and cumulative doses

Abstract

These findings suggest that the adverse skeletal effects of oral corticosteroids manifest rapidly and are related to daily dose. The level of previous exposure to oral corticosteroids was not a strong determinant of the risk of fracture. Preventive measures against corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis should therefore be instituted as soon after the commencement of glucocorticoid therapy as possible.