Corticosteroids and bone health in people with asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the potential deleterious effects of corticosteroids on bone health in people with asthma is important when making treatment decisions. There is a need for clearer evidence to better quantify the risk and effect size.

METHODS

Databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting on bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and risk of osteoporosis or fracture, comparing people with asthma exposed to inhaled (ICS) or oral (OCS) corticosteroids, with nonexposed people with asthma and healthy controls. Data were narratively synthesized, and a series of meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects inverse variance method.

RESULTS

This review consists of 28 studies (six randomized control trials and 22 observational). There was no effect of ICS on bone loss both at spine and femoral neck in asthma. People with asthma receiving OCS were at greater risk of osteoporosis than nonexposed people with asthma (pooled HR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.48 to 2.09; I=68%). Similarly, higher ICS exposure was associated with higher risk of osteoporosis (OR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.33 to 1.99) and fracture (pooled OR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.05 to 1.35; I=0%) when comparing people with asthma receiving ICS and not.

CONCLUSION

Patients with asthma exposed to OCS or high ICS doses become more susceptible to bone comorbidities. Striking the right balance between efficacy and safety of steroids in asthma is important to improve patients' quality of life.