[Bone mineral density in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

AIM To study of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS 104 patients with COPD were examined. A study group comprised men with a long smoking history. BMD of the lumbar spine in the frontal view and that of the proximal femur (the neck, Ward's area, greater trochanter) were studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPX-NT densitometer. RESULTS Osteoporosis of the lumbar spine was most frequently detected in patients with COPD (37.2%). That of the femoral neck was diagnosed in 19.77% of the patients with COPD. In the advanced stage of COPD, the BMD values in all areas were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION Osteoporosis is a significant disease in patients with COPD.