[Osteoporosis in glucocorticoid-treated asthmatic patients. Part II. Dependence on asthma duration and its treatment as well as on type of applied steroids].

The purpose of this study was an attempt at determination whether the risk of osteoporosis in glucocorticoid-treated asthmatic patients depends on duration and type of steroid therapy. The examinations were performed in 82 patients aged 29-70 years, treated with different types of steroids for 1-25 years. In the analysed patients osteoporosis was established by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine, assessed by quantitative computer tomography (QCT). Increased osteoporosis incidence and decrease of bone mass with the duration of bronchial asthma and corticoid therapy were demonstrated, and significantly higher osteoporosis incidence and severity were found in patients treated exclusively or predominantly with intramuscular steroid preparations.