The influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the occurrence rate and intensification of osteoporosis.

The aim of this study was the estimation of the relationship between osteopenia and osteoporosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The group under investigation consisted of 77 people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in different stages of its development and control group. All the patients underwent spirometry carried out by means of abcPneumoRS system and bone densitometry carried out by means of Osteometer A/S using the DEXA method; the results were compared with those of the reference groups. Static and dynamic lung volumns were measured in all patients. By means of densitometry the mass, bone mineral density and T-score were determined in all patients' distal forearm. The research confirmed the relationship between the mass and density of bones and patients' age, sex, weight and body surface. Osteoporosis frequency rate was much higher among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, particularly women. The following relationship between the degree of disease progression and the mass and mineral density of the bones was observed: the more advanced airflow obstruction was, the lower osseous mass coefficients were. Forced expiratory volume during the first second and airflow obstruction reversibility rate determined by means of bronchodilator response also had a considerable influence on osseous mass coefficients.