Nutritional intake and habitual food consumption of patients with COPD in relation to fat-free mass index

Abstract

Introduction: It has been shown that fat-free mass (FFM) depletion is a better predictor of mortality than BMI alone in COPD patients.

Aim: to examine the nutritional status of stable male COPD patients and to evaluate energy, macro- and micronutrient intakes in relation to fat free mass index.

Methods: we conducted a cross sectional study including patients with a diagnosis of COPD, clinically stable and aged between 45 and 75 years. Nutritional intake was assessed by using a 24h dietary recall questionnaire. Total intake of macro and micronutrient was calculated using BILNUT 2000 software. Weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and body composition measurements were taken by a trained dietitian. The data were analyzed with SPSS 14.0 software.

Results: The mean age of the patients (N=65) was 66 ± 9 years. Among all of the patients 14.8% was underweight (BMI < 21 kg/m2) and 17.5% had a low fat-free mass index (FFMI < 16 kg/m2). The percentage of the patients who did not meet the daily recommended intakes (RNI) was highest for zinc (100%) and calcium (86.3%). Mean daily consumptions of milk-yogurt, red meat and fruits were significantly low in the low FFMI group compared to normal FFMI group (for all; p < 0.05). Patients with normal FFMI had significantly higher weight, MUAC, fat and fat-free mass than the patients with low FFMI (for all; p < 0.05).

Conclusions: health professionals should be aware of COPD patients with low FFMI in order to evaluate the nutritional intake and therefore plan nutritional strategies to improve prognosis of the disease.