Low-dose glucocorticoid increase the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with low bone mass: a retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Low-dose GC therapy can increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures, particularly spine fractures, in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.
Study context
- Population
- 66-year-old postmenopausal women with low bone mass based on bone mineral density (BMD) results
- Participants
- 119,790 women
- Exposure
- Oral glucocorticoid (GC) use within 6 months of BMD testing vs control
- Outcome
- Risk of major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) and non-MOF
- Follow-up
- 1-year follow-up
Methodological details1-year follow-up, GC dose by defined daily dose (DDD) categories
- 1-year follow-up
- GC dose by defined daily dose (DDD) categories
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Total fracture
Each group vs controlHazard ratio (95% CI)
G3
1.25(1.07–1.46)
G4
1.37(1.13–1.66)
G5
1.45(1.08–1.94)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| MOF · 1-year follow-upG1vs Control | 1.23 (1.05–1.45) | |
| MOF · 1-year follow-upG3vs Control | 1.37 (1.11–1.68) | |
| MOF · 1-year follow-upG4vs Control | 1.41 (1.09–1.83) | |
| MOF · 1-year follow-upG5vs Control | 1.66 (1.14–2.42) | |
| Non-MOF · 1-year follow-upG4vs Control | 1.48 (1.13–1.94) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) · 1-year follow-up
- Risk of MOF higher in all groups except G2 than control
Spine fracture · 1-year follow-up
- Significantly higher in all GC groups except G2 than control
Non-MOF · 1-year follow-up
- Risk of non-MOF higher only in G4 than control
Original publication
Low-dose glucocorticoid increase the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with low bone mass: a retrospective cohort study. Osteoporos Int. Published 2 July 2024. doi:10.
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