ABSTRACT
the aim of the study is to assess the effect of Inhaled steroids on bone density in male patients with bronchial asthma. this retrospective analysis included 102 male patients with bronchial asthma, mean age 51 years [range; 22-80]. All has been using inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate or budesonide with average dosage of 800 ug/day [600- 1200] at least for the last year. Patients then were subdivided into 3 groups according to duration of inhalational steroid use: group 1: < 5 years [n= 17], group 2: 5-10 years [n= 57] and group 3: >10years [n= 28]. Bone mineral density was measured from lumbar spine [LI-4] and non dominant proximal femur by dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry with a Hologic QDR-1000 densitometer [Holologic Inc., Waltham, Mass]. ANOVA test was used in statistical analysis and P<0.05 was considered significant. Over all frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia within our study group were 48% and 43% respectively. In the left femur, those values were 58% and 8% respectively. Frequency of osteoporosis in lumbar vertebrae and left femur in the above 3 groups classified according to duration of inhalational steroid use were: group 1: 6% and 0%, Group 2: 42% and 9% and group 3: 71% and 5% respectively. BMDs, T-scores and Z- scores were lower in group 2 and 3 compared to group l [p<0.05]. our study shows high frequency of osteoporosis among men treated with inhalational steroids. Therefore, screening strategy is recommended within 5 years after initiation of treatment