• Elisabeth A P M Romme, Erica P A Rutten, Frank W J M Smeenk, Martijn A Spruit, Paul P C A Menheere, and Emiel F M Wouters.
• Department of Respiratory Medicine, Catharina Hospital, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, the Netherlands. lisette.romme@cze.nl
• Ann. Med. 2013 Feb 1;45(1):91-6.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with several extrapulmonary effects that contribute to the severity of the disease. Vitamin D is suggested to play a role in COPD and its related extrapulmonary effects.AimsTo determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relation with bone density, muscle strength, and exercise capacity in patients with COPD.MethodsOur cross-sectional study included patients with moderate to very severe COPD. We collected data on lung function, body composition, bone density, quadriceps muscle strength, 6-minute walking distance, and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as plasma 25(OH)D concentration below 50 nmol/L.ResultsIn total, 151 COPD patients were included; 87 patients (58%) had vitamin D deficiency. Plasma 25(OH)D concentration was positively associated with bone density (P = 0.005) and 6-minute walking distance (P < 0.001) after adjustment for potential confounders. Plasma 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with quadriceps muscle strength.ConclusionsThe majority of COPD patients had vitamin D deficiency. Plasma 25(OH)D concentration was positively associated with bone density and exercise capacity. Intervention studies are necessary to determine whether vitamin D supplementation is of benefit in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis and poor exercise capacity in patients with COPD.

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