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Nutritional supplementation in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
I M Ferreira1, D Brooks, Y Lacasse
1Respiratory Division, University of Toronto, 82 Buttonwood, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6M 2J5. ivoneferreira@hotmail.com
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 25, 2000
Summary
Nutritional support did not significantly improve outcomes for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review found no significant changes in body measurements, lung function, or exercise capacity with caloric supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Low body weight in COPD patients correlates with poorer health outcomes, including reduced exercise capacity and increased mortality.
- Nutritional support is considered a potential intervention for improving the status of malnourished COPD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on nutritional supplementation in stable COPD patients.
- To assess the impact of caloric supplementation (≥2 weeks) on anthropometric measures, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases and expert consultations for relevant RCTs.
- Two reviewers independently selected trials, assessed quality, and extracted data.
- Pooled effect sizes using a random-effects model and tested for homogeneity.
Main Results:
- Nine RCTs were included from 272 references; six were high quality, two double-blinded.
- Nutritional support showed small effects across all outcomes, with confidence intervals including zero.
- The impact of nutritional support was consistent across studies.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional support demonstrated no significant benefits for anthropometric measures in stable COPD patients.
- Caloric supplementation did not lead to significant improvements in lung function or exercise capacity.
- Current evidence suggests nutritional support is not effective for improving key outcomes in stable COPD.