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Bone mineral density in prepubertal asthmatics receiving corticosteroid treatment
Author(s) -
Harris M,
Hauser S,
Nguyen TV,
Kelly PJ,
Rodda C,
Morton J,
Freezer N,
Strauss BJG,
Eisman JA,
Walker JL
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2001.00628.x
Subject(s) - medicine , corticosteroid , bone mineral , confidence interval , bone density , asthma , osteoporosis , endocrinology
Objective : To examine whether bone mass is reduced in prepubertal, asthmatics receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids. Methodology : A cross‐sectional comparison of lumbar spine‐bone mineral density (LS‐BMD) was undertaken in 76 subjects after stratifying them according to dosage and administration route of corticosteroid. Results : Weight was the only independent predictor of LS‐BMD ( r 2 = 0.38). Children receiving greater than 800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid plus intermittent oral corticosteroid had a significantly lower weight‐adjusted LS‐BMD than children treated with 400–800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid (mean difference: 0.06 g/cm 2 , 95% confidence interval (CI): – 0.02 to – 0.10). A significant difference in weight‐adjusted LS‐BMD persisted when all children receiving greater than 800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid, irrespective of additional oral corticosteroid treatment, were compared with children receiving 400–800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid (mean difference: – 0.05 g/cm 2 , 95%CI interval: –0.02 to – 0.09). Bone mass was similar in children not receiving any inhaled corticosteroid and those treated with 400–800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid. Conclusions : A reduced bone mass in prepubertal asthmatic children receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids may predetermine a compromised peak bone mass and increase osteoporotic fracture risk in adulthood.