Prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients wit h Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease admitted to a University Hospital

Summary Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widely distributed disease with high morbimortality, associated with important pathologies, among which is included osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vertebral fractures in those patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to determine some factors which heighten the risk of fracture in these patients, especially the severity of the COPD and the use and dosage of inhaled corticoids. Material and method: Retrospective, observational transversal study, in which were included patients admitted to the Rio Hortega University Hospital during the year 2006 diagnosed with COPD who had a lateral thoracic X-ray. A control group was included, without COPD, of similar age and sex, admitted to the internal medicine service over the same period. The vertebral fracture was determined using Morphoxpress ® . Results: 115 patients with COPD and 87 control patients were included, with a higher prevalence of vertebral fractures in being observed in patients with COPD, although without there being a statistically significant difference with respect to the control group. However, if we consider only the moderate-severe fractures (Gennant Type II and III), there is a greater prevalence, which is related to the severity of the disease, measured by the decrease in FEV1 (Forced expiratory volume in one second). We found no relationship between the prevalence of fractures, the different types of treatment and the morbidity determined by the number of admissions. Conclusions: Our study shows the tendency of patients with COPD to have an increased prevalence of vertebral fractures which are associated with the severity of the COPD and the seriousness of the fractures themselves. We found no relationship between the different inhaled corticoids, individually or grouped, and the presence of fractures. Nor did we find a relationship between the number of vertebral fractures and the number of flare-ups, treatment with broncodilators, corticoids, home oxygen therapy, or the diagnosis of, or previous treatment for, osteoporosis.