What is a common treatment approach for patients at moderate to high risk for osteoporosis due to corticosteroid use?

For patients at moderate to high risk for osteoporosis due to corticosteroid use, the use of oral bisphosphonates is a common and effective treatment approach. Corticosteroids can significantly increase the risk of bone loss and fractures, making it essential to implement strategies that mitigate these effects.

Oral bisphosphonates, such as alendronate, risedronate, and ibandronate, work by inhibiting bone resorption, which helps to maintain or even increase bone mineral density. This is particularly beneficial for patients who may be at risk of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. The bisphosphonates are well-studied for their effectiveness in preventing and treating osteoporosis, especially in populations at high risk due to medication effects or other factors.

The other options lack the comprehensive approach needed for osteoporosis management in these patients. While calcium and vitamin D are important for overall bone health, they do not actively prevent bone loss in the way bisphosphonates do. Long-term corticosteroid use, in contrast, would exacerbate bone loss, rather than treat or prevent it. Thus, bisphosphonates are the go-to option due to their targeted mechanism of action in counteracting the negative skeletal effects of corticosteroids