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Steroid-induced osteoporosis is treatable with Teriparatide

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (OP) is now very much treatable with Teriparatide, a synthetic form of the human parathyroid hormone, as per a recent study.

The involved researchers found that patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and administered with teriparatide for a period of 36 months had a greater increase in bone mineral density apart from fewer new vertebral fractures than those treated with alendronate.

The study findings were published in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The 36-month randomized, double-blind, and controlled trial was conducted at 76 centers located in 13 countries and led by Kenneth Saag, M.D., from the University of Alabama.

From News-Medical.Net:

Study participants were randomly assigned to receive injectable teriparatide (20 μg/day) plus oral placebo (150 subjects) or oral alendronate (10 mg/day) plus injectable placebo (144 subjects). Supplements of calcium (1,000 mg/day) and vitamin D (800 IU/day) were provided to all study participants. Subjects kept a daily journal to record their steroid use.

Results show at 36 months the BMD for lumbar spine was 11% higher than baseline in the teriparatide group compared with 5.3% in the alendronate group. The BMD (teriparatide versus alendronate) for total hip was 5.2% versus 2.7% and 6.3% versus 3.4% for femoral neck. Researchers also observed fewer vertebral fractures in subjects taking teriparatide (1.7%) than those administered alendronate (7.7%). Higher levels of calcium concentrations were noted in the teriparatide group (21%) than in the alendronate group (7%).

Dr. Saag commented that there are a considerable number of individuals treated regularly with steroids for controlling inflammation that puts them at risk for developing osteoporosis and teriparatide is a safe and effective treatment for patients with steroid-induced osteoporosis.