Long Term Use of Glucocorticoid Induced Osteoporotic Multiple Compression Fractures in Autoimmune Diseases

Abstract

Reduced bone mineral density precedes the development of vertebral fractures in patients under long term glucocorticoid therapy. Osteoporosis is a frequent complication in steroiddependent patients, and the risk of developing vertebral fractures in these patients is much higher than involutional osteoporosis. We described a 54-year-old patient who presented with autoimmune hepatitis and had a 6-year history of steroid medication. The patient had multiple compression fractures (T10∼L5) without trauma, and was treated successfully with multi-level vertebroplasty and an intravenous injection of bisphosphonate without complications.