Ramadan M. Bakr

Osteoporosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and severity of osteoporosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at different grades of disease. Background COPD is a widely prevalent disease with high morbidity and mortality and is associated with important pathologies, among which is osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis is often undiagnosed in these patients. Participants and methods This study was conducted on 30 patients with COPD and 10 healthy controls (the control group). They were selected from Al-Mahalla Chest Hospital from April 2012 to March 2013. All participants were subjected to detailed clinical history taking, a thorough clinical examination, plain chest radiography (posteroanterior and lateral views), blood sampling for complete blood picture, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum calcium and phosphates, ventilatory function tests (spirometry), and measurement of bone density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results The results of this study revealed highly significant reduction in most ventilatory function tests in the COPD group compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.01). Prevalence of osteoporosis was higher in the COPD group compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Prevalence of osteoporosis increased with increasing severity of COPD (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Osteopenia and osteoporosis are more prevalent in COPD patients than in healthy controls and the severity of osteoporosis increases with increasing severity of COPD.

Assessment of Serum Level of Ghrelin in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objectives: to study the relationship between serum level of ghrelin and cachexia in patients with COPD. Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. COPD involves several systemic features. The link between ghrelin, cachexia and COPD needs to be clarified. Materials and methods: Serum levels of ghrelin were measured in 60 COPD patients (divided into 3 groups according to their BMI) and 30 control subjects using human ghrelin ELISA kits. Results: There was a significant increase in ghrelin level in COPD patients compared to control subjects. There was significant increase in serum ghrelin level in underweight COPD subgroup compared to normal weight and overweight subgroups. Serum levels of ghrelin in COPD patients were affected by the level of pulmonary obstruction. Conclusions: Serum level of ghrelin is increased in COPD patients, and is positively correlated with BMI and disease severity. Keywords