| The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the relationship between glucocorticoid (GC) use and bone mineral density (BMD). Participants were 49 men and women aged 6 to 78 years at baseline, and 30 to 94 years at follow up. Each GC user was matched with a nonuser with a similar profile including gender, age, and race. Data on use of GC medication was self-reported and was obtained from a medical history questionnaire. Bone mineral density was measured by radiographic photodensitometry (RPD), radiogrammetry (RG), single photon absorptiometry (SPA), and radiographic absorptiometry (RA). There was no significant correlation between GC use and BMD. Furthermore, statistical tests failed to detect any significant differences between the BMD of GC users and the BMD of nonusers. In conclusion, this study failed to detect any significant bone loss with use of GC medication, in contrast to numerous studies reported in the literature. The limitations of the retrospective nature of this study might have contributed to these results. |
