OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between bone mineral density and Syndrome type of TCM in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for providing the base of clinical integrative traditional Chinese and western medical therapy for the disease through the Syndrome typing and determination of changes in bone metabolism and bone density.

METHODSBone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae 2-4, femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter in 27 COPD male patients, 25 male control subjects and 25 healthy persons were determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, patient's Syndrome type, their blood levels of total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, bone glaprotein, hydroxyproline, calcium, phosphate, urine levels of calcium/creatine and phosphorous/creatine as well as arterial blood gas were also determined.

RESULTSThe BMD in COPD patients accompanied with respiratory failure or with course > 10 years was higher than that in COPD patients without respiratory failure or with course < or = 10 years, BMD in COPD patients of Fei-Pi-Shen type was lower than that in those of Fei-Pi, but the urine hydroxyprdine in the former was higher than that in the latter (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) COPD is a risk factor for osteoporosis; (2) Shen Deficiency is the key and nucleus of secondary osteoporosis to COPD; (3) It is inferred that early regulation of Shen may be facilitated to prevent osteoporosis in COPD patients.