Therapy of moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy with intravenous methylprednisolone pulses is not associated with loss of bone mineral density.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To evaluate the influence of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse administration on bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck in patients with moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO).

Methods

Thirty-five patients with GO in euthyreosis were treated with 12 IVMP pulses (6 × 0.5 g, 6 × 0.25 g on a weekly schedule). Supplementation with 1.0 g of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D was initiated in all patients before beginning therapy. BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and the femoral neck were assessed at baseline and after the last IVMP pulse using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To determine differences in BMD between values at baseline and after treatment, we used the least significant change (LSC) methodology. LSC values were calcul

SUBMITTER: Rymuza J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6531386 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature