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Nutritional status indicators in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Malnutrition, as evidenced by low weight for height, low triceps skinfold thickness and low midarm muscle circumference, is prevalent among COPD patients. A stepped decline in nutritional status has been postulated as a mechanism for malnutrition wherein patients progressively suffer weight loss with each COPD exacerbation. A randomized clinical trial of continuous enteral nutrition could not successfully address whether or not the stepped decline in weight can be prevented. Despite this, sixteen patients admitted for a COPD exacerbation, participated in an observational prospective study wherein anthropometric, biochemical, dynamometric, respiratory, general well-being and energy consumption measures were obtained. Twelve patients had body weights below 90% of ideal weight. The mean energy intake was 107% $ pm$ 30 of estimated resting energy expenditure. Measures were repeated to assess changes during hospitalization. Weight change was a poor indicator of nutritional status. Midarm muscle circumference and handgrip strength appear to be useful as nutritional status indicators among unstable hospitalized COPD patients. Changes in handgrip strength and midarm muscle circumference were closely linked (r =.78, p $<$ 0.0005) and tended to decrease over the course of hospitalization despite clinical improvement. In the absence of adequate nutrition, COPD patients have at least as much risk of developing iatrogenic malnutrition as are other hospitalized medical patients.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.67536
Date January 1993
CreatorsHaddad, Donna L.
ContributorsGray-Donald, Katherine (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageMaster of Science (School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001338397, proquestno: AAIMM87797, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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