LAUSR

Abstract: Introduction: The increased metabolism of nutrients and the low energy intake may lead to malnutrition among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Aim: The goal of our study was to examine the nutritional status of our population aged over 40, and its relationship with the severity of the disease. Method: We conducted a retrospective study at the National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology in 2017. Pulmonary function and anthropometric data were obtained from the electronic health record system. Inclusion criteria were age over 40 and the diagnosis of COPD. Severity of disease was assessed by forced expiration volume and categorized according to GOLD stages. We used SPSS Statistics V22.0 for data analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 66; 49.3% were men, 50.7% were women. Average BMI was 27.14 kg/m², with values comprising cachexia and severe obesity. According to the FEV1%pred results of the 3236 patients, 30% fell in the GOLD I, 40% in the GOLD II, 23% in the GOLD III, and 7% in the GOLD IV categories. Pearson coefficient found positive correlation between FEV1 and nutritional status (H = 0.2297, r = 0.1401), specifically between severity of cachexia and severity of disease. The analysis of variance showed significant correlation between severity of disease and nutritional status; patients with higher BMI had better pulmonary function. Conclusion: Malnutrition had an adverse effect on pulmonary functions and performance of respiratory muscles, whereas higher BMI had a positive effect on FEV1. Our results suggest that BMI could be used as a lung function prognostic indicator for COPD patients. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(23): 908–913.