Long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy can increase the risk of which conditions?

Long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy can increase the risk of which conditions?

• A. Improved glucose tolerance
• B. Reduced blood pressure
• C. Osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes
• D. Enhanced adrenal function

Answer: (C)

Chronic systemic corticosteroid use disrupts bone health and metabolic regulation, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Steroids promote bone loss by inhibiting osteoblast activity, stimulating osteoclasts, and reducing calcium absorption while increasing calcium excretion, leading to osteoporosis and higher fracture risk. They also promote sodium and fluid retention and affect vascular tone, which raises blood pressure. In metabolism, corticosteroids raise blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and causing insulin resistance, potentially triggering diabetes. These combined effects explain why the option listing osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes is the best match. The other possibilities describe opposite or unrelated effects—improved glucose tolerance, reduced blood pressure, or enhanced adrenal function—none of which align with the known impact of long-term corticosteroid therapy.

Chronic systemic corticosteroid use disrupts bone health and metabolic regulation, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Steroids promote bone loss by inhibiting osteoblast activity, stimulating osteoclasts, and reducing calcium absorption while increasing calcium excretion, leading to osteoporosis and higher fracture risk. They also promote sodium and fluid retention and affect vascular tone, which raises blood pressure. In metabolism, corticosteroids raise blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and causing insulin resistance, potentially triggering diabetes. These combined effects explain why the option listing osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes is the best match. The other possibilities describe opposite or unrelated effects—improved glucose tolerance, reduced blood pressure, or enhanced adrenal function—none of which align with the known impact of long-term corticosteroid therapy.