Opportunistic Screening for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures in Patients With Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease

It is well known that some chronic respiratory pathologies such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, due to the pathology itself and the therapies implemented (per-os or inhaled corticosteroids). Osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of fragility fracture, with an increased morbidity and mortality associated with severe fractures such as vertebral fractures. Also, osteoporotic vertebral fractures often occur at the thoracolumbar hinge, resulting in worsening of the thoracic kyphosis. However, to the best of our knowledge, the prevalence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures measured by CT scan in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) is not known. For these patients who already have impaired respiratory function, the appearance of vertebral fractures could impact their management and worsen their prognosis (additional restrictive syndrome, difficulties in analgesics management because of respiratory contraindications, difficulties in wearing a corset, etc...). In this context, it appears interesting to define the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic vertebral fractures at the thoracic spine and the thoraco-lumbar hinge in a population of patients followed for ILD. So, the main objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of vertebral osteoporotic fractures in an overall cohort of patients with ILD.