Higher cumulative dose of topical corticosteroids is associated with osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fracture: A nationwide case–control study

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Clinical Summary

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What was studied

A nationwide case–control analysis of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (2017–2020) examined whether cumulative topical corticosteroid (TCS) exposure, standardized to prednisolone-equivalent potency, is associated with osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fracture (MOF), with sex- and age-stratified analyses.

Key findings

Compared with no TCS use, over 5 years the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for osteoporosis were 1.216 (95% CI 1.189–1.243), 1.260 (95% CI 1.241–1.280), and 1.341 (95% CI 1.314–1.369) for low, medium, and high cumulative TCS doses; for MOF, ORs were 1.118 (95% CI 1.069–1.170), 1.191 (95% CI 1.156–1.227), and 1.288 (95% CI 1.238–1.340). Women had higher ORs than men, and those <50 years had the highest OR for osteoporosis.

Study limitations

Case–control design limits causal inference; the excerpt does not specify dose thresholds defining low/medium/high exposure or report absolute risks; findings are from a Taiwanese population, which may affect generalizability.

Clinical implications

Long-term, higher cumulative TCS exposure correlates with greater odds of osteoporosis and MOF; minimize cumulative TCS dose when possible and consider bone health vigilance, especially in women and adults under 50.