Title:Managing Osteoporosis in COPD
Volume: 24
Issue: 8
Author(s): Lilan Shen*, Juanqin Lv*, Jie Li, Jing Zhou and Xiaomin Wang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin
730900, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin 730900, China.
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin 730900, China.
Keywords:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, fracture, comorbidities, physical inactivity tobacco exposure hypogonadism, inflammation.
Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious respiratory disease with
high morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. Every year, many people die from the disease
or its comorbidities. Osteoporosis is a common complication of COPD, which can lead to increased
fractures in COPD patients, aggravate the disease, and then bring great pain and burden
to patients. The possible factors leading to osteoporosis in COPD patients include systemic inflammation,
corticosteroid use, vitamin D deficiency, physical inactivity, tobacco exposure, lower
bone mineral density, hypogonadism, hypoxia, and anemia. In clinical practice, the rate of diagnosis
and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with COPD is low. Several studies demonstrated
that treating osteoporosis with bisphosphonates could improve bone density, make breathing easier,
and improve the quality of life of COPD patients. However, no studies have examined the effect
of anti-osteoporosis therapy on fracture prevention in COPD patients. More research is needed
to clarify how to implement holistic medical interventions in COPD patients with osteoporosis.
We recommend that every COPD patient be screened for osteoporosis and treated with standard
medications for primary osteoporosis.