[Does COPD affect bone mineral content?]

In a retrospective study, 85 COPD patients not treated with steroids, and 78 who received steroid therapy, were compared with a control group of normal subjects (n = 126) matched for age and sex. The determination of the bone mineral content (BMC) was carried out with the aid of two-photon absorption measurement performed in the region of the lumbar spine L2-4 and of the neck of the femur. With respect to the distribution of the bone mineral content as a function of sex and pulmonary function reduction, the following results were obtained: 1. There are significant differences between men and women. The BMC is generally lower in women. 2. Significant differences are to be found between the normal subject group and the steroid-free group on the one hand, and the steroid-treated group on the other. The group receiving steroid treatment has appreciably lower BMC values. 3. There are statistically significant correlations between the severity of airway obstruction and the decrease in BMC both in steroid-treated and steroid-free patients.