6533b833fe1ef96bd129c184

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Ageing and COPD affect different domains of nutritional status: the ECCE study

subject

description

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ageing may contribute to malnutrition. We aimed to explore whether COPD and ageing determine malnutrition in different manners. 460 stable COPD outpatients (376 males and 84 females) from the Extrapulmonary Consequences of COPD in the Elderly (ECCE) study database were investigated (age 75.0±5.9 yrs; forced expiratory volume in 1 s 54.7±18.3% predicted). Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment® (MNA) questionnaire. From the MNA, three scores exploring the domains of the nutritional status were calculated: body composition, energy intake and body functionality scores. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages were negatively correlated with five MNA items exploring mobility, patient ’ s perception of own nutrition and health status, and arm and calf circumferences (lowest Spearman’s rho (r s ) = -0.011; highest p = 0.039). GOLD stages were independently correlated with body composition and body functionality scores (model r 2 = 0.073). Age was negatively correlated with four MNA items exploring loss of appetite, fluid intake, mobility and autonomy in daily life (lowest r s = -0.013; highest p = 0.030). Age was independently correlated with body functionality score (model r 2 = 0.037). Severe COPD and ageing are independent and probably concurrent conditions leading to malnutrition. The MNA questionnaire allows a valuable insight into the complexity of components of nutritional status and may provide useful clues for treatment strategies.