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Should COPD patients be routinely evaluated for bone mineral density?
Fisun Karadag1, Orhan Cildag, Yakup Yurekli
1Department of Chest Diseases, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, 09010 Aydin, Turkey.
Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism
|June 18, 2003
Summary
This study found no significant difference in bone mineral density (BMD) between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy controls. Therefore, bone mass screening is not recommended for appropriately treated COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Endocrinology
- Radiology
Background:
- Osteoporosis risk factors are numerous, including smoking, malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, hypogonadism, and corticosteroid therapy, particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Assessing bone mineral density (BMD) in COPD patients is crucial to determine the need for bone mass screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone mineral density (BMD) in clinically stable COPD outpatients receiving regular therapy.
- To clarify if COPD patients are suitable candidates for bone mass screening.
Main Methods:
- Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD in 28 male COPD patients and 20 male healthy controls.
- Pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analyses were performed on COPD patients.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in lumbar or femoral BMD were found between COPD patients and the control group.
- Rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis were similar between the two groups, with no increased risk observed in COPD patients.
- Bone density showed a correlation with the degree of airway obstruction and arterial blood pH.
Conclusions:
- The BMD values in appropriately treated, moderate-degree COPD patients are comparable to those of age-matched healthy individuals.
- There is no increased risk of osteoporosis in this COPD patient group, indicating no necessity for routine bone mass screening.