Short‐Term Effects of 1‐Alpha‐Hydroxy‐Vitamin D3 in Patients on Corticosteroid Treatment and in Patients with Senile Osteoporosis

Abstract
Patients (16) with bronchial asthma undergoing long-term corticosteroid treatment and 6 patients with senile osteoporosis were given the same oral dose of 1-.alpha.-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (1.alpha.-OH-D3) and Ca. The immediate effect on blood and urine chemistry and on the intestinal Ca absorption rate were studied. Hypercalcemia occurred frequently among the patients treated with corticosteroids but not among those with senile osteoporosis. Corticosteroids do not counteract the effects of 1.alpha.-OH-D3. No correlation was found between the Ca absorption rate and the degree of osteoporosis, nor did the serum PTH (parathormone) levels show any differences that could be attributed to the treatment.