Osteoporosis and its relation with severity of COPD and steroids use

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis is one of the extrapulmonary effects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) resulting in an increased risk of fracture thereby causing significant morbidity and mortality. Aims and Objectives: To determine association between BMD and severity of COPD and association between steroid intake and bone mineral density Material and Methods: 100 new COPD patients were recruited in this study. Diagnosis and severity grading of COPD patients were according to the GOLD guidelines. BMD (at the lumbar spine and at the femoral neck) was performed using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). BMD was expressed in g/cm2 and standardized T-score and Z-score. Results: Conclusion: There was significant derangement in BMD and T-score in COPD patients which leads to osteoporosis and osteopenia. Patients with history of long term use of oral corticosteroids had more negative values of T –scores at both lumbar spine and femoral neck when compared to inhaled steroids. It is advised to screen for osteoporosis in COPD patients with long term steroid use and who had severe disease.