QuestionQA
Concept
Chapter
Osteoporosis, otherwise known as thin bones, is a condition associated with high risk of low trauma fractures due to reduced bone mineral density. Osteoclast activity exceeds osteoblast activity, meaning that bone resorption is occurring at a greater rate than bone formation.

**Symptoms and Signs**

- Generally asymptomatic until a fragility fracture occurs
- Back pain
- Kyphosis (stooped posture)
- Fragility fractures

**Risk factors**

- Female sex
- Increasing age
- Smoking
- Corticosteroid use
- Low BMI (< 20-25kg/m<sup>2</sup>)
- Low body weight (<58kg)
- Vitamin D deficiency

**Protective factors**

- Higher BMI
- Exercise - mechanical loading stimulates bone formation

**Diagnosis**
Osteoporosis can be detected on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan.
A T score of < -2.5 indicates osteoporosis

**Management**

- Fall prevention
- Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
- Hormone replacement therapy (postmenopausal women)
- Oral bisphosphonates
2657
3679
Total number of tablets needed when tapering the steroid dose needed after a diagnosis of giant cell arteritis
Topic
92
General Practice
WEEK 1: 40mg dose / 5 = 8

Therefore 8 x 5mg tablets are needed per day for 7 days.

8 x 7 = 56 tablets are needed in week 1.

WEEK 2: 30mg dose / 5 = 6

Therefore 6 x 5mg tablets are needed per day for 7 days.

6 x 7 = 42 tablets are needed in week 2.

WEEK 3: 20mg dose / 5 = 4

Therefore 4 x 5mg tablets are needed per day for 7 days.

4 x 7 = 28 tablets are needed in week 3.

WEEK 4: 10mg dose / 5 = 2

Therefore 2 x 5mg tablets are needed per day for 7 days.

2 x 7 = 14 tablets are needed in week 2.

56 + 42 + 28 + 14 = 140 tablets needed
10150
QuestionQAAnswer
140
tablets
 

Case Presentation:

A 65-year-old gentleman is discharged from the hospital following a diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA).

He has been given the following information on how his condition is to be treated:

Prednisolone PO 40mg/day for 7 days.

Prednisolone PO 30mg/day for 7 days

Prednisolone PO 20mg/day for 7 days.

Prednisolone PO 10mg/day for 7 days.

He has been told to take 5mg prednisolone tablets to treat his condition.

How many prednisolone tablets does this patient require to complete his GCA treatment?