Nutritional status of COPD patients with acute exacerbation.

The prevalence and features of nutritional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been studied extensively in stable conditions, but are poorly defined in the presence of an acute exacerbation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of COPD patients with acute exacerbation and possible relationship between nutritional parameters and pulmonary functions. The study group consisted of 53 COPD patients acutely admitted to the hospital for standardized medical treatment. The nutritional status of patients was assessed by anthropometric measurements, biochemical analysis, and immunologic testing. The patients were divided into two groups as having severe (FEV1 < 50%) and mild to moderate (FEV1 ? 50%) COPD and weight loss greater than 5% for the comparison of the study parameters. Ideal body weight (IBW%) was found as 104.42 +/- 4.30 in severe COPD, where as it was 115.31 +/- 7.28 in mild to moderate COPD group (p= 0.07). There was no relationship demonstrated between IBW% and FEV1. IBW% was correlated with DLCO for the total study population (r= 0.353, p= 0.035). Weight loss greater than 5% of body weight (BW) was observed in 54% of patients. Comparison of the patient's actual weight to their usual weight revealed statistically significant weight loss (p< 0.01). Mean values of serum albumin, transferrin were found in normal range. Delayed type hypersensitivity skin test revealed normal immune status. When the study parameters were compared, no any statistically significant differences in parameters related to nutritional status were detected, between severe and mild to moderate COPD groups. As a statistically significant weight loss was found between the actual and usual weights of the patients, monitoring of nutritional parameters and eventual dietetic treatment should also be included in the goals of the medical treatment of patients with COPD in acute exacerbation.