Short-term effects of 1-alpha-hydroxy-vitamin D3 in patients on corticosteroid treatment and in patients with senile osteoporosis.

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