Aim: Osteoporosis is an important complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study is to determine the bone mineral density (BMD) and assess the relationship among bone mineral density, bone metabolism and the clinical data in patients with COPD.Patients and Method: 25 male COPD patients (mean age: 66±7.23 years) and 29 healthy male controls (mean age: 63.68±8.04 years) were enrolled into the study. COPD and control groups were assessed for hip (femoral neck and Ward’s triangle) and lumbar BMD, biochemical (blood calcium, blood phosphate, 24-hour urine calcium, creatinin clearance, osteocalcin, deoxypyridinoline) and hormonal [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), free testosterone (sT), and parathyroid hormone (PTH)] markers. Results: No significant difference was found in BMD and T scores of hip and lumbar areas between COPD and control groups (p0.05). When compared to the control group, COPD patients had significantly lower free testosterone (p=0.008) and significantly higher osteocalcin (p=0.0016) and PTH (p=0.00) values. Pulmonary function test and duration of disease were not correlate with lumbar and hip BMD in COPD group (p0.05). Conclusion: Although BMD did not differ in any groups, some hormonal and biochemical markers were different in patients with COPD. Because osteoporosis is considered as an important complication to cause fractures, it is important to identify the risk groups for osteoporosis and take preventive and therapeutical measures. (From the World of Osteoporosis 2007;13:70-4) Key words: COPD, osteoporosis

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