Bone mineral density in patients with chronic lung diseases

Purpose. We evaluated bone mineral density and phosphorus calcium status in patients with chronic lung diseases. Patients and methods. A prospective study was conduced in 58 patients (43 m en and 15 women, mean age 44 years, age range 16-68 years) who were classed in three groups: chronic obstructive diseases (25 patients), cystic fibros is (19 patients), and other lung diseases (14 patients). Fifteen percent of the patients were receiving corticosteroid therapy. Bone mineral density o f the lumbar spin and the femoral neck was measured. Results. Serum calcium, phosphate, creatinine, osteocalcin and parathyroid hormone were normal. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (normal = 9-40 ng/ml) level wa s in the lower limits of normal (12 ng/ml) and it-as severely decreased in 12 patients (< 7 ng/ml). Conclusion. Chronic lung disease can lead to osteoporosis. Corticosteroids, low vitamin D level, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and in cystic fibrosis nutritional deficiencies, delayed puberty and hypogonadism are risk factors , Bone density must be measured in order to prevent and treat osteoporosis.