Nutritional status and body composition among persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine whether a relationship exists between nutritional status, assessed by three recommended instruments, and body composition for older persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Background. Commonly reported symptoms of COPD include impaired nutritional status. This is difficult to assess accurately, because currently recommended instruments for risk identification do not evaluate body composition reliably. Design. A descriptive and correlational study; data were collected in 2007. Method. Study participants were 47 women and 34 men with a mean age of 65 years and 48% with very severe COPD. Data collection included body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR), fat‐free mass index (FFMI), lung functions and assessment of nutritional status by the mini nutritional assessment (MNA), the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and a national disease‐specific instrument (ENS). Results. Participants’ BMIs ranged from 15·9 to 43·8. Out of 15 with very low FFMIs five were classified as overweight. One of those participants was identified as malnourished by the MNA, two were identified by the MUST as at high risk for malnutrition and none was identified by the ENS as in need of qualified help with nutrition. Six participants were assessed using each instrument as being in need of special attention for their nutritional status. Correlations between each of the instrument and FFMIs were significant at the 0·01 level for each instrument. Conclusion. A combination of methods gives richer information as single measurements may give misleading results. Assessment of nutritional status cannot rely only on instrument values; there is a need for an astute ‘clinical eye’ as well. Relevance to clinical practice. The methods are suitable for skilled professional use in clinical practice with people with COPD, but the short form of the MNA and the ENS should be used with caution.

Nutritional status, gender and marital status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…, Odencrants et al . ). A number of studies have shown an increase in the quality and quantity of food eaten by older individuals who shop, prepare food (Brownie ) and eat in the company of others (Wikby & Fägerskiöld , Brownie , Wright et al .…”

Assessment of nutritional status and meal‐related situations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Primary health care – obese patients; a challenge for the future

“…2009). For example, patients in the study by Odencrants et al. (2009) had a BMI that ranged between 16–44, and only a few were identified as malnourished.…”

“…The underweight patient with COPD has been focused on in the literature, and there is a known relationship between the stages of COPD and malnutrition: a low body mass index (BMI) is an independent risk factor for mortality, especially in those with severe COPD (Schols et al 1998, Landbo et al 1999. However, overweight among patients with COPD has recently been reported (Marquis et al 2005, Franssen et al 2008, Odencrants et al 2009). For example, patients in the study by Odencrants et al (2009) had a BMI that ranged between 16-44, and only a few were identified as malnourished.…”

“…However, overweight among patients with COPD has recently been reported (Marquis et al 2005, Franssen et al 2008, Odencrants et al 2009). For example, patients in the study by Odencrants et al (2009) had a BMI that ranged between 16-44, and only a few were identified as malnourished. It has also been discussed that obese patients with COPD may suffer more physical impairments than their underweight counterparts (Soler-Cataluna et al 2005).…”

Factors Associated With Malnutrition Risk Among Elderly With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease From Hospital Serdang and Institut Perubatan Respiratori

“…Thus, malnutrition is presented as a common issue among COPD patients (King, Cordova & Scharf, 2008). About 9% of COPD patients were classified as malnutrition and 42% of them categorized as at risk of malnutrition (Odencrants, Ehnfors & Ehrenberg, 2009). Another study found that out of 2329 elderly patients, 33% of them suffered from malnutrition and almost 43% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition (Vermeeren et al, 2006).…”