Bone Loss Seen With Lung Disease Treatment

People who use an inhaled steroid long-term to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema, face a loss of bone mineral density in the hip and spine, a new study shows. The findings suggest the drugs should be prescribed with caution to COPD patients, Dr. Dr. John E. Connett, at the University of Minnesota, told Reuters Health, especially because the study also found the medication did not improve lung function.