Pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, and endurance of patients with osteoporosis

It has been shown that patients with thoracic kyphosis due to osteoporosis have diminished pulmonary function. The aim of this study was to determine the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and endurance of patients with osteoporosis who did not have compression fractures.

The patient group consisted of 88 recently diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporotic women without spinal fractures. They were matched for age and body mass index with 54 healthy women, who formed the control group. Bone mineral density, pulmonary function test (PFT), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) measurements of both groups were performed.

There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding PFT parameters and MIP and MEP. However, osteoporotic patients had significantly lower MW values.

Women with postmenopausal osteoporosis without spinal compression fractures have normal PFT, MIP, and MEP values, but they have reduced respiratory muscle endurance.