Low fat-free mass and body mass index are associated with worse survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. The impact of malnutrition, especialy fat-free mass (FFM), on mortality is scarcely assessed in IPF patients. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with higher mortaliy in IPF. Nutritional status of 185 consecutive IPF patients from a referal Centre were prospectively evaluated by bioelectrical impedancemeter analysis (BIA) to measure FFM, body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, food intake analogue visual scale and biology. Malnutrition was defined as a FFM index (FFMI) Malnutrition prevalence was 28% (52/185). IPF patients with low FFMI had higher mortality compared to patients with normal FFMI (p=0.015). In multivariable analyses, factors independently associated with mortality were active cancer, FFMI and BMI. IPF patients with malnutrition have higher mortality. FFMI and BMI are independently associated with mortality. Nutritional status assessment should be systematic in IPF patients. Further studies should aim at assessing wether a dedicated intervention to improve nutritional status would improve IPF patients’ prognosis. NB: We will add 6 more months of follow up for the presentation in September.