Glucocorticoid and bone: friend or foe?

Bone remodelling is dependent on endogenous glucocorticoids (GC). However, high GC levels such as in Cushing’s disease or treatment with GC for its anti-inflammatory properties, are detrimental to bone. GC induced osteoporosis is the most common form of secondary osteoporosis and the most common iatrogenic cause of this disease, being responsible for large fracture numbers with associated high mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. Diagnosis is frequently delayed and treatment of this disease is far from optimal, however new osteoporosis treatment options may be of great value for the treatment and prevention of GIOP. Insights into the interplay between GC and bone are needed to further improve bone health in GC related diseases.

The aim of this Research Topic is to compile recent and novel insights into the interplay between bone and GC, and targets to influence this interaction between GC and bone.

In the framework of this Research Topic, submission of both Original Research manuscripts/brief research reports and (systematic)Reviews/Mini-Reviews/Perspective/Opinion articles will be encouraged on any relevant subjects dealing with the interplay between GC and bone in health and diseases, including but not restricted to the following themes

- mechanistic insight in the effect of GC on bone metabolism, in physiologic and pathophysiologic situation
- disturbance of the interplay between GC and bone
- novel targets to influence the interplay between GC and bone
- new treatment options of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis
- the impact of low dose GC on bone in inflammatory conditions- benefits and risks
- How to predict and prevent GIOP