title: Does radiographic emphysema correlate with low bone mineral density?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several large epidemiologic studies have shown an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoporosis. Recent studies have further implied an emphysema-specific association with low bone mineral density independent of obstruction severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review will outline the studies demonstrating an independent association between radiographic emphysema and decreased bone mineral density and will discuss potential disease mechanisms, including systemic inflammation and immune-mediated factors, linking these disease processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographic emphysema should be considered an independent risk factor in studies examining the mechanisms underlying COPD-related bone loss. Future research focused on the relationship between emphysema and low bone mineral density could provide mechanistic insight and result in the development of targeted therapies designed to halt progression of both disease processes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. bonjm@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology*; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology