Osteoporosis and asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the etiology, evaluation, prevention, and management of osteoporosis in a patient with asthma and worsening osteoporosis, a problem that is frequently encountered in an allergy-immunology practice, and the incidence, risk factors, screening guidelines, and recommended prevention and treatment options for this disease. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE was searched for relevant English-language review articles published between January 1993 and March 2006 using the keyword osteoporosis in combination with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Additional sources and studies cited include relevant references from the official guidelines of the national medical associations, including the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the American College of Rheumatology, the World Health Organization, and the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Panel on Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy. STUDY SELECTION: The authors selected the most relevant and recent sources for inclusion in this review. RESULTS: As the population ages, osteoporosis continues to increase in prevalence and severity. Screening rates of patients at risk of osteoporosis are suboptimal. A variety of effective treatment options are available for osteoporosis prevention and therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at risk of osteoporosis, especially those patients who are treated with high doses of corticosteroids. Specialist physicians should be knowledgeable about the screening guidelines, counseling, and therapeutic options for the prevention and management of osteoporosis.