Which of the following is a side effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy?

Long-term corticosteroid therapy is associated with several significant side effects, one of which is osteoporosis. Corticosteroids can interfere with the bone remodeling process, leading to decreased calcium absorption in the intestine, increased calcium excretion in the urine, and decreased osteoblast function, which is crucial for bone formation. Over time, this can result in reduced bone mineral density, making bones more fragile and increasing the risk of fractures.

While other options like insomnia can occur due to corticosteroid use, they are not as directly linked to the long-term consequences of therapy. Weight loss is generally not a common side effect, and corticosteroids are more often associated with weight gain due to fluid retention and increased appetite. Similarly, rather than promoting bone density, long-term corticosteroid treatment has the opposite effect, contributing to osteoporosis. Thus, osteoporosis is a well-documented and serious consequence of prolonged corticosteroid use that clinicians monitor closely.