Risk of Fracture and Osteoporosis in Patients With COPD and Inhaled Corticosteroids Treatment

BACKGROUND: There are disputes whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) increase the incidence of fracture or osteoporosis among patients with COPD. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effect of ICS treatment on the risk of fracture and osteoporosis in subjects with COPD. METHODS: This study included parallel-group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ICS and control (non-ICS) therapy for subjects with COPD that reported adverse events including fractures or osteoporosis. Studies were found using MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases between 1998–September 2022. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were calculated for primary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 61,380 participants from 26 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Exposure to ICS did not increase the risk of fracture (RR 1.10 [95% CI 0.98–1.23], P = .10) or osteoporosis risk (RR 0.93 [95% CI 0.49–1.79], P = .84) in subjects with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: ICS use did not increase the incidence of fracture or osteoporosis in subjects with COPD.