COPD is a syndrome of progressive airway limitation caused by the abnormal inflammatory reaction of the airways and lung parenchyma. Osteoporosis is one the major extra pulmonary manifestations of COPD. Osteoporosis is, characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) & or  deterioration of micro- architecture resulting in increase bone fragility & hence an increased susceptibility to fractures.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care centre to find the proportion of patients with osteoporosis among COPD patients using Calcaneal BMD estimation &  X- Ray  lumbosacral spine.

172 COPD patients were subjected to Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound scan &  X-Ray lumbosacral spine & evaluated  for signs of osteoporosis.

Out of the 172 patients studied 90 (52.3%) patients had osteoporosis with estimation of BMD & X-Ray spine & osteopenia  in 64 ( 37.2% ) & 18 (10.5%) were detected to be normal with BMD estimation. With X-Ray sine 57 (33.1 %) were osteopenic  & 25 (14.5%)  were normal..

 Thus a significant number of patients were detected to be osteoporotic with BMD & X-Ray screening, & also 27% of the patients had fracture vertebra, without any history of obvious injury. There was also significant negative co-rrelaton seen with BMI in both BMD & X-Ray.

As the stage & duration of COPD advanced, significant number of patients developed osteoporosis .

COPD patients are prone to osteoporosis due to their low BMI, impaired mobility & co-morbidities.

Keywords: COPD, BMD, Calcaneal QUS.

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Dr Sophia Philip

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