Measurement of bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in asthmatic patients receiving prednisolone therapy

Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and its relationship to total dose of prednisolone and duration of prednisolone therapy was studied in 57 patients with bronchial asthma. There was a significant negative correlation between BMD and total dose of prednisolone (r = -0.463, p < 0.001) and between BMD and duration of prednisolone treatment (r = -0.30, p < 0.05). The half-yearly percent decrease of BMD measured in 17 asthmatic patients was 0.83% (p < 0.01) after correction for age-associated decline. These findings suggest that the reduction of BMD was related to the total dose of prednisolone and the duration of therapy in asthmatics.