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Clinical Summary

COPD may be an independent risk factor for fractures, osteoporosis

Takeaway

  • COPD appears to be an independent risk factor for fractures and osteoporosis, with nearly 5 times the risk for fractures and 2.6 times the risk for osteoporosis.

Why this matters

  • Patients with COPD should undergo regular osteoporosis screening with bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and, if necessary, prophylaxis of fractures.

Study design

  • Case-control design comparing patients with COPD (n=91; COPD group [COPDG]) with 81 age- and sex-matched control individuals (CG).
  • Funding: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil.

Key results

  • The COPDG had a 4.7 times higher prevalence of total fractures (57.1% vs 17.2% among CG; OR, 4.7; P<.01), with femoral neck T scores as the best predictor of fractures.
  • The COPDG had lower spine (P=.01), femoral BMD (P≤.01), and 2.6 times greater risk for osteoporosis (OR, 2.6; P<.01).
  • In men, COPDG had higher prevalence of vertebral fractures (25.9% vs 6.5% in CG; P=.01).
  • The odds of fracture were higher with femoral neck T-scores ≤−2.7 in CG and <−0.6 in the COPDG.

Limitations

  • Cross-sectional, observational design.

References


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