High doses of topical corticosteroids, often used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, may increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. This has been shown by a published study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (JEADV).
Scientists compared data obtained from approximately 130 thousand osteoporosis patients and 518 thousand healthy people. They used information from the Taiwan Health Insurance Database.
The analysis found that the risk of developing osteoporosis within five years was 1.22, 1.26, and 1.34 times higher, respectively, in those who used low, medium, and high doses of topical corticosteroids compared with those who did not use them. A similar situation was observed for fracture risk. Age younger than 50 and female gender were additional risk factors.
The authors concluded that the use of topical corticosteroids to treat inflammatory skin diseases should be done with caution and that clinicians should be aware of these potential side effects.
previous doctors warnedIt is stated that excessive efforts to combat vitamin D deficiency may lead to coma.