Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD) is a serious respiratory disease with high morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. Every year, many people die from the disease or its comorbidities.
Osteoporosis is a common complication of
COPD, which can lead to increased fractures in
COPD patients, aggravate the disease, and then bring great
pain and burden to patients. The possible factors leading to
osteoporosis in
COPD patients include systemic
inflammation,
corticosteroid use,
vitamin D deficiency, physical inactivity, tobacco exposure, lower bone mineral density,
hypogonadism,
hypoxia, and
anemia. In clinical practice, the rate of diagnosis and treatment of
osteoporosis in patients with
COPD is low. Several studies demonstrated that treating
osteoporosis with
bisphosphonates could improve bone density, make breathing easier, and improve the quality of life of
COPD patients. However, no studies have examined the effect of anti-
osteoporosis therapy on fracture prevention in
COPD patients. More research is needed to clarify how to implement holistic medical interventions in
COPD patients with
osteoporosis. We recommend that every
COPD patient be screened for
osteoporosis and treated with standard medications for primary
osteoporosis.