Fat free mass index of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in relation to disease severity quality of life and exercise capacity

Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional abnormalities are highly prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine the association between fat free mass index, disease severity, exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) in patients with COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in outpatients with clinically stable, moderate to very severe COPD. Exclusion criteria were the co-existance of malignancies, malabsorbtion, diabetes, neurological diseases, renal failure and unstable cardiac diseases known to influence the nutritional state. Dyspnoea was assessed by the MMRC scale, exercise capacity was assessed by the 6MWT, life quality (LQ) was assessed by the CAT scale. A spirometry was performed. Body composition parameterswere analyzed with bioelectric impedencemetry and patients were divided into two groups as with low fat free mass index (FFMI Results: A total of 92 patients (mean age 63,7 years, all men) were included. The COPD severity, MMRC dyspnoea score, 6MWT results, CAT score and hospitalisations during 6 months following were higher among the patients with low FFMI. On the other hand, a positive correlation between FFMI, 6MWT, FEV, CAT score and a negative correlation between FFM, hospitalization and MMRC dyspnea score were observed. Conclusion: COPD patients with low FFMI have higher airway obstruction degree, perception of dyspnoea, CAT score and lower exercise capacity. FFMI is an independent predictor of exercise capacity and rehospitalisation during 6 months.