Frequency of bone demineralization in geriatric COPD patients and its ratio to society

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); is a common, preventable, and treatable disease characterized by persistent airflow restriction, usually associated with progressive chronic inflammatory response of airways and lungs to harmful gases and particulates. COPD is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide. In additionally, COPD is often associated with different comorbidities such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, anxiety/depression and atherosclerosis. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder that is characterized by compromised bone strength due to an impaired bone quality, leading to increased fracture risk. The prevalence of osteoporosis in COPD varies between 4% and 59%, depending on the diagnostic methods used, the population studied, and the severity of the underlying respiratory disease. According to the last age category classification of the World Health Organization, the population aged 65 years or older defines as geriatric population. With the increase in health services and improvement in living conditions, life expectancy and geriatric population is increasing. With the advancing age, the incidence of many diseases increases. COPD is one of these diseases and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Total of 58 geriatric person, whom were 65 years of age and over, 29 of them are COPD patient and 29 of them are control group were included in the study. Age, gender and COPD stage (only in the patient group) were evaluated demographically. Biochemically, parathormone, 25-OH vitamin D3, serum calcium data were recorded and evaluated. T-score of DEXA scans for femur and vertebrae was evaluated for both groups. According to results, the prevalence of osteoporosis; was 69.6% in the COPD group and 30.4% in the control group. There was statistically a significant difference between the groups, in terms of both vertebra L1-L4 T score and femur neck T score. The presence of COPD was found to increase the risk of developing osteoporosis by 3.86 times. 25 OH vitamin D3, parathormone and calcium values were not different between the groups. Osteoporosis is a common comorbidity in COPD patients. Early diagnosis and treatment make positive contributions to patients' life expectancy and quality of life. For all these reasons, we think that creating awareness of osteoporosis, taking preventive measures and early diagnosis should be important and supportive for patients.