Body Composition, Functional Status and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Objective: To define the correlation between the Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI), the muscle function, degree of airflow obstruction, the respiratory symptoms and the number of exacerbations during the last year in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Methods: Prospective and cross-sectional study of subjects older than 40 years with a clinical diagnosis of COPD who underwent measurement of the FFMI and muscular function to determine if these were correlated with the variables of severe COPD. Results: 55 patients Participated in the study. The FFMI was below 32.7% (n=18) and the strength diminished in 56.4% (n=31). In the sample, we found a direct and significant correlation between the FFMI and the FEV1* (predicted %), (p= 0,045). When analyzed by sex, men had a direct correlation between FFMI and the FEV1*(predicted %), (p=0,019), an inverse correlation between FFMI and the spirometric classification of the Global Initiative Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) (p=0,008) and between the muscular function and the symptoms (p=0, 03). In women no significant correlation was found. Conclusions: The conditions in mass and the muscular function were correlated with clinical variables and pulmonary function in men, but not in women. We did not find a correlation between corporal composition and the number of exacerbations.