Open Access
Glucocorticoid‐induced osteonecrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Author(s) -
Kaneko Kaichi,
Chen Hao,
Kaufman Matthew,
Sverdlov Isaak,
Stein Emily M.,
ParkMin KyungHyun
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
clinical and translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2001-1326
DOI - 10.1002/ctm2.526
Subject(s) - medicine , glucocorticoid , systemic lupus erythematosus , epidemiology , complication , lupus erythematosus , intensive care medicine , immunology , disease , antibody
Abstract Osteonecrosis (ON) is a complex and multifactorial complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ON is a devastating condition that causes severe pain and compromises the quality of life. The prevalence of ON in SLE patients is variable, ranging from 1.7% to 52%. However, the pathophysiology and risk factors for ON in patients with SLE have not yet been fully determined. Several mechanisms for SLE patients’ propensity to develop ON have been proposed. Glucocorticoid is a widely used therapeutic option for SLE patients and high‐dose glucocorticoid therapy in SLE patients is strongly associated with the development of ON. Although the hips and knees are the most commonly affected areas, it may be present at multiple anatomical locations. Clinically, ON often remains undetected until patients feel discomfort and pain at specific sites at which point the process of bone death is already advanced. However, strategies for prevention and options for treatment are limited. Here, we review the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options for glucocorticoid‐induced ON, with a specific focus on patients with SLE.