Short-term evolution of nutritional status in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study is to compare respiratory function, physical performance and nutritional parameters at the time of disease diagnosis and after 6 months of follow-up in a cohort of patients with IPF followed-up prospectively in 9 IPF referral centers in northern Italy.

Methods: The study consisted of two respiratory assessment and two nutritional evaluations at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

Results: 90 patients were included in the study, however only 82 patients with both pneumological assessments were included in this analysis. In regards to PFTs and DLCO did not significantly change between baseline and 6 months follow-up. Similarly, no differences were observed in the 4-meter gait speed test, distance walked at 6MWT and hand-grip strength. Mean BMI significantly decreased (p<0.001) as significantly increased the proportion of patients who lost more than 5% of weight in the prior 6 months (p=0.004). Anthropometric measurements, arm and abdominal circumference significantly decreased between baseline and follow-up. These changes in the nutritional status also led to a modification in the nutritional phenotypes with a reduction in the proportion of obese and normonourished patients and an increase in patients with sarcopenia (Figure 1).

Conclusions: We did not observe a significant change in pulmonary function and physical performance parameters iduring the 6-month follow-up. However, worsening of multiple nutritional parameters was detected, including loss of weight, reduction of both body fat and lean mass at BIA. These nutritional changes were reflected in a reduction of patients who showed an obese or normonourished phenotype and increasing in the proportion of sarcopenic patients.