Strong topical corticosteroids ‘tied to fracture risk’

Patients with persistent and prolonged dermatological disease might need bone density scans, researcher moots
Reuters Health Staff writer

Use of potent or very potent topical corticosteroids is associated with increased risk of osteoporosis and major fractures, with a dose-dependent effect, a study shows.

It’s well established that systemic corticosteroids increase the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures but whether topical use of strong steroids can cause similar problems has not been clear, write the study authors in JAMA Dermatology.