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Skeletal Implications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

  • Secondary Causes of Osteoporosis (SJ Warden, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Osteoporosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with numerous comorbidities, among which osteoporosis is of high significance. Low bone mass and the occurrence of fragility fractures is a common finding in patients with COPD. Typical risk factors related directly or indirectly to these skeletal complications include systemic inflammation, tobacco smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and treatment with oral or inhaled corticosteroids. In particular, treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a strong contributor to bone changes in COPD, but does not fully account for all skeletal complications. Additional to the effects of COPD on bone mass, there is evidence for COPD-related changes in bone microstructure and material properties. This review summarizes the clinical outcomes of low bone mass and increased fracture risk, and reports on recent observations in bone tissue and material in COPD patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Osteology at the Hanusch Hospital of WGKK and AUVA Trauma Centre Meidling, 1st Medical Department, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria

    Barbara M. Misof, Klaus Klaushofer & Paul Roschger

  2. Endocrine Division (SEMPR), Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Carolina A. Moreira

  3. Laboratory P.R.O–Bone Histomorphometry Division, Fundação Pro-Renal, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Carolina A. Moreira

Authors
  1. Barbara M. Misof
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  2. Carolina A. Moreira
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  3. Klaus Klaushofer
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  4. Paul Roschger
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Correspondence to Barbara M. Misof.

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Barbara M. Misof, Carolina A. Moreira, Klaus Klaushofer, and Paul Roschger declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Secondary Causes of Osteoporosis

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Misof, B.M., Moreira, C.A., Klaushofer, K. et al. Skeletal Implications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Curr Osteoporos Rep 14, 49–53 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-016-0301-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-016-0301-8

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