title: Correlates of osteoporosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the correlates of reduced bone mineral density in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with special regard to a possible protective role of hypercapnia. One hundred and four consecutive COPD inpatients in stabilized respiratory conditions underwent a comprehensive assessment of their health status. Bone mineral density was measured by X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar site and at the femoral neck site. Differences in health-related variables between patients with (group O, n=62) and without (group N, n=42) lumbar and/or femoral neck osteoporosis were assessed first by univariate analysis and then by logistic regression analysis aimed to identify independent correlates of osteoporosis. Group O was characterized by worse nutritional status, as reflected by indices exploring either lean or fat mass, and by a trend towards lower forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity ratio. Arterial tension of carbon dioxide lacked any correlation with bone mineral density. According to the logistic regression analysis, body mass index < or = 22 kg m(-2) qualified as the only and positive independent correlate of osteoporosis (odds ratio=4.18; 95% confidence intervals=1.19-14.71). In conclusion, malnutrition characterizes COPD patients with osteoporosis, while mild to moderate hypercapnia lacks either a positive or negative effect on bone mineral density. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify predictors rather than correlates of bone mineral density.
authors: Department of Geriatrics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Incalzi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Caradonna
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ranieri
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Basso
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Fuso
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Pagano
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ciappi
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pistelli
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors