Corticosteroids · Pharmacology

Corticosteroids increase the risk of osteoporosis primarily by:

  1. Increasing the intestinal absorption of calcium
  2. Inhibiting osteoblast activity and decreasing calcium absorption
  3. Stimulating the production of calcitonin
  4. Directly inhibiting the secretion and release of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from the glands
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Correct answer: Inhibiting osteoblast activity and decreasing calcium absorption

Glucocorticoids decrease bone formation by inhibiting osteoblast proliferation and increasing osteocyte apoptosis. They also interfere with calcium absorption in the gut and increase renal calcium excretion, leading to secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Difficulty: Medium Question 11 of 20

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