Anthropometric Indicators Associated with Dyspnea and Spirometric Parameters in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine anthropometric indicators associated with dyspnea and spirometric parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional and observational study was carried out on 88 patients with COPD, who were visited in an outpatient respiratory clinic of a university hospital during two months. Patient height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) and subscapular skinfold thickness (SST) were recorded. Also, data on lung function and dyspnea were collected. The association between anthropometric indices and other parameters was studied. RESULTS Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)% predicted was positively correlated with BMI (R=0.239, P<0.05) and MUAC (R=0.431, P<0.01). By applying ANOVA, we found that the relationship between FEV1% predicted and BMI (P=0.007), WC (P=0.019) and MUAC (P<0.001) was statistically significant. Chi-square test showed that there was an association between MUAC and dyspnea (P<0.05). CONCLUSION There was a relationship between FEV1% predicted and some anthropometric indices such as BMI, MUAC and WC; also, we found an association between MUAC and dyspnea.