Sarcopenia as an Independent Risk Factor for Decreased BMD in COPD Patients: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV and V (2008-2011)

BackgroundA decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) is a systemic consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Past reports have rarely examined any correlation between sarcopenia and BMD. We investigated the relationship cross-sectionally between the presence of sarcopenia and BMD reduction in COPD patients.MethodsCOPD patients aged 50 or older with qualifying spirometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry data were from participants in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV and V (2008–2011).ResultsThere were 286 (33.3%) subjects in the sarcopenia group and 572 (66.7%) in the non-sarcopenia group. The sarcopenia group had lower T-scores than the non-sarcopenia group (femur: -0.73±0.88 vs. -0.18±0.97, p n = 493) (OR = 2.248, 95% CI = 1.084–4.665, p = 0.030, OR = 4.621, 95% CI = 1.167–18.291, p = 0.029, and OR = 2.376, 95% CI = 1.158–4.877, p = 0.018, respectively).ConclusionsThe presence of sarcopenia was associated with increased the risk for decreased BMD in COPD.