How to Evaluate the Risk of Malnutrition in Patients with COPD?
Background: The risk of malnutrition in patients with COPD increases the length of hospital stay, early readmission rates and poorer prognosis. Malnutrition is a significant problem in COPD and often goes undetected and often untreated. Many patients with COPD suffer with poor dietary intake and consequently reduced muscle mass. Aim & Objective: To evaluate the effect of duration of disease and malnutrition in patients with COPD. Material And Methods: Ten patients with COPD both male and female) aged 30-50 yrs were recruited in this study. After getting informed consent the subjects were instructed to fill the questionnaire for the history related to our study. The subjects Body Mass Index (BMI Kg/m2), Body surface area, Duration of Disease, Skinfold thickness (Caliper), Calories intake, and Pulmonary function tests (RMS Polyrite) were evaluated. Results: A significant individual patients variation was observed in our study. The mean BMI of the patients was ( 23.45±6.34) found to be reduced than normal. Duration of the disease (2yrs-28yrs) was negatively correlated with BMI, Free Fat Mass, Calorie intake and Expiratory Flow Rates (55%-65% pred). By using skinfold thickness (Biceps, Triceps, Sub scapular, Waist, Knee, Calf) Free Fat Mass was calculated. Conclusion: Being an inflammatory disease COPD involves with lungs and affect other body tissues like bones and muscles, these are known as co morbidities. Diet and nutritional intake are important in COPD because they help to combat some of these co morbidities. So nutrition is an important therapy in the management of patients with COPD.
