Breathing and Bones Initiative

This project will examine the current diagnosis and treatment of bone health in patients with obstructive airway disease. Patients will be referred to The Osteoporosis Centre of BC (OCBC) by their respirologist to be assessed for osteoporosis including Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Previous chest xrays and will be accessed and examined for vertebral fractures, diagnostic of osteoporosis. The lung and bone data will be entered into a database. This will allow us to explore the relationship of lung disease parameters to osteoporosis predictors, eventually determining a respirology patient population who are at high risk of fracture. Longitudinal evaluation of bone health and its relationship to respiratory parameters over time will be explored by follow-up evaluations at 12 and 24 months.

Research Method:

1. Selected respirologists' practices will identify patients at risk of osteoporosis (according to Osteoporosis Canada Guidelines):

   1. Who have not had a bone density test in the past 2 years and
   2. Who are not already taking osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.
   3. Other patients not meeting these criteria can also be referred at the discretion of the physician
2. Patients will be given a choice on whether they wish to be referred to the Osteoporosis Centre of BC (Vancouver) through an expedited simple referral system OR they may have their information sent to their referring/family doctor discussing the need for referral for an evaluation of bone health and follow up

   i. Informed consent obtained with an Ethics Committee approved Informed Consent Form. Informed consent will be obtained from all patients who will be followed by the research team. The consent will allow the researchers to use clinical data and imaging for observational research; participation in the research will be optional and will not affect patient ability to obtain information on their bone health at OCBC.

ii. A standard, full evaluation will be undertaken on a single visit (DXA bone densitometry, consultation with endocrinologist or geriatrician). Screening for secondary causes of osteoporosis including Vitamin D status through blood tests will occur at a community laboratory. All information obtained from these tests being reviewed by the physicians and clinical treatment decisions will be made based on standard practice.

iii. Densitometry with OCBC research-calibrated DXA will permit meaningful clinical follow-up .

Respirologists' office process:

1. Men and women over age 65 with obstructive airways disease would be asked if they have had a bone density test in the past 2 years and if they are currently taking an osteoporosis therapy (alendronate, risedronate, zoledronate, etidronate, , raloxifene, calcitonin, estrogen)

2 If the answer is no, the respirologists would

Explain standard of care for patients at risk of osteoporosis and then

1. Recommend to the referring physician that an osteoporosis evaluation be conducted (non-study) or
2. Ask the patient if they would be interested in taking part of the observational study. If patient wishes to participate a consent form would be given to the subject and the patient would be asked for permission to have the research coordinator call them in 2-3 days to discuss the study. The respirologist would then generate an expedited referral to the Osteoporosis Centre of BC (candidate for observational study).

The research coordinator would contact the subject by telephone and with scripted call speak to the subject and answer any questions pertaining to the study. During this call the research coordinator would determine whether the subject would like to meet prior to the appointment so that informed consent could be obtained. Informed consent would be obtained at the OCBC prior to the patient's appointment. If the patient does not wish to consent to the study but is referred clinically, they will not meet with the study coordinator, but they will still be able to access all usual clinical services provided by OCBC.

i. A simple one-page referral faxed to Osteoporosis Centre of BC

ii. All arrangements made either with respirologists' office or directly with the patient by OCBC

iii. Consultation reports sent back to both the referring doctor (respirology) and family doctor

Data from osteoporosis clinical history, fracture history, medication history, chemistries, and DXA will be collected with data on respiratory function. A database would be made for later analysis and correlation.

Chest Xray films taken in the last 2 years would be reviewed. Chest CT or other imaging will be evaluated for vertebral compression fractures (a very potent risk factor for future fragility fracture).

Statistical Analysis:

This study is observational and descriptive data will be produced. Regressions of continuous variables will be analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and parametric variables analyzed by Chi Squared testing.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* men and women over 65 years of age with obstructive airway disease being seen by a respirologist in their clinical practices

Exclusion Criteria:

* less than 65 years of age
* patient has had bone density scan within the last 2 years
* patient is currently being treated for osteoporosis (alendronate, risedronate, zoledronate, etidronate, clodronate, raloxifene, calcitonin, estrogen)