| Title: | Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Patients with Severe Asthma Requiring Biological Treatment: A Single-Centre Study |
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| Author(s): | L Thong D Casey J Murphy BJ Plant DM Murphy |
| Institution: | Cork University Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Asthma and COPD |
| Abstract: | Prolonged use of steroids is an associated risk factor for osteoporosis. Many patients with severe asthma require multiple courses or even continuous maintenance steroids to manage their asthma. We screened 49 patients were on or awaiting monoclonal treatment for their asthma for osteoporosis 43 were included in the analysis (6 did not have full results). Data collected include patient demographics, body mass index (BMI), Z-score, T-scare, FRAX score and other risk factors for osteoporosis. 7.0% of patients were osteoporotic (n=3) and 44.2% osteopenic (n=19). 46.5% of all patients had previous fracture, the highest being in the normal group, 55.0% (n=11) followed by the osteopenic group, 45.0% (n=9). None of the osteoporotic patients had previous fractures. Patients in the obese group had the highest percentage of normal BMD at 61.1% (n=11), followed by the overweight group, 41.2% (n= 7). Consistent with previous studies, the proportion of osteopenic and osteoporotic patients were lower in the overweight groups. Interestingly, patients with normal BMD appear more likely to have had previous fractures. Further studies are required to confirm or refute these findings as this has an important implication of whether asthmatic patients who meet the criteria for biological treatment will require prophylactic treatment for osteoporosis regardless of their BMD. |
