Bone mineral density in women with asthma on long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have become first line agents in the management of moderate-to-severe asthma. Long-term use of ICS is associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD). To investigate the prevalence of BMD loss and its severity in women with asthma on long-term ICS. Fifty-six women with asthma on long-term ICS, attending an inner-city allergy clinic were selected to undergo bone densitometry in order to evaluate the association between BMD and the long-term use of ICS at different dose ranges. Women (60.7%) had decreased BMD either at the lumbar spine or hip region. Among postmenopausal women, 17.1% of those