NUTRITIONAL-STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH STABL E AND SEVERE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study has been to evaluate the nutrit ional status and anthropometric values, of outpatiens with stable and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and their correla tion with pulmonary data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a six months pe riod, 45 patients with advanced COPD and severe obstruction, respirato ry forced Volume in the first second (FEV1) < 50% of the theoretical r ange, were prospectively studied. Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, F EV1%, PaO2 and PaCO2, body mass index (BMI), triceps (PCT), biceps (PC B), subescapular (PSE) and abdominal (PA) skinfold thickness, arm musc le circumference (PMB), arm muscle area (MAMA), arm fat area (MAFA), f at/muscle index MAMA/MAFA, % of total fat body and visceral protein (h emoglobin, albumin and transferrin) were assessed, RESULTS: 24 patient s (53%) had evident nutritional alterations (overweight or malnutritio n), More than the 65% of patients had low values of PCT, muscle/fat in dex and MAFA. Several nutritionals parametres had relationship with pu lmonary function test, but the BMI better explained the variability of FEV1% (FEV1% + 26.8 = 0.9 BMI, R(2) = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: The BMI is the nutritional Value that better predicts the FEV1% in outpatients w ith stable and severe COPD, These patients present alterations in anth ropometric parameters and an anomalous distribution of body fat, that suggests the possibility of carrying out intervention nutritional stud ies that allow to improve their pulmonary function.