DIET-INDUCED THERMOGENESIS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

Increased resting energy expenditure and malnutrition are frequently o bserved in patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to examine th e possible contribution of an increased diet-induced thermogenesis (DI T) to weight loss. Eleven patients with CORD in stable clinical state and 11 healthy control subjects were studied. Resting energy expenditu re (REE) was measured by standard methods of indirect calorimetry, usi ng a ventilated canopy. Premeal REE was measured after an overnight fa st. All subjects then received a balanced liquid test meal with a calo ric content that was 0.3 times their REE extrapolated to 24 h. Diet-in duced thermogenesis was measured over 130 min. Premeal REE was 109.9 /- 11.7% of predicted values in the CORD group and 97.5 +/- 9.6% of pr edicted in the control group (p < 0.01). Seventy minutes after the tes t meal, REE had increased by 18.8 +/- 8.5% in the COPD group and by 15 .1 +/- 5.8% in the control group (NS). After 130 min, REE had increase d by 16.4 +/- 7.1% in the COPD group and by 12.4 +/- 5.3% in the contr ol group (NS). The DIT expressed as a percentage of the caloric conten t of the meal was 4.3 +/- 1.6% in the CORD group and 3.3 +/- 1.4% in t he control group (NS). We conclude that patients with stable CORD, alt hough hypermetabolic at rest, do not show an increased DIT.