What is a potential effect of long-term corticosteroid use?

Long-term corticosteroid use is associated with several potential adverse effects, one of the most significant being osteoporosis. Corticosteroids can interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium and can hinder bone formation by affecting the function of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for new bone production. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in bone density, making bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures.

In addition, corticosteroids can impact the hormonal balance involved in maintaining bone health, including alterations in cortisol levels, which also plays a role in bone metabolism. Due to these mechanisms, patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy are advised to monitor their bone health closely and may benefit from calcium and vitamin D supplementation, along with other preventive strategies to mitigate the risk of osteoporosis.

Other potential effects of corticosteroid therapy include fluid retention and skin changes, but osteoporosis reflects a more serious and long-term complication related to chronic corticosteroid exposure. Hypoglycemia is less associated with corticosteroids; instead, these medications can lead to increased blood glucose levels. Skin rashes can occur but are typically not a significant long-term concern associated with corticosteroid use.