Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

High-dose treatment of more than three months' duration reduces bone mass, regardless of the patient's age, sex, or race. Because bone loss is most severe during the first six to 12 months of treatment, prophylaxis to preserve bone--with calcium, vitamin D, a bisphosphonate, and exercise--should begin as soon as the clinical situation permits rather than after the disease has been brought under control.