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[Low-weight syndrome associated with COPD in our setting]
C Coronel1, M Orozco-Levi, A Ramírez-Sarmiento
1Servicio de Neumología. Hospital del Mar-IMIM. Universidad Pompeu Fabra (UPF). Barcelona. España.
Archivos De Bronconeumologia
|February 6, 2003
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the Mediterranean area show a lower prevalence of low body weight syndrome compared to other regions. Further research is needed to confirm this finding in larger populations.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly impacts patient activity and life expectancy.
- Low body weight is increasingly recognized as a factor exacerbating COPD limitations.
- Prevalence of low body weight in COPD varies geographically, with lower rates suggested in Mediterranean regions.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of low body weight syndrome among COPD patients in a specific geographic area.
- To compare these findings with previously reported data from Europe and North America.
Summary:
- A review of 3,126 COPD patients from 2000-2001 revealed a low body weight syndrome prevalence of 6.6% (BMI < 20 kg/m2), and 3.1% (BMI < 18 kg/m2).
- Half of the studied patients had severe COPD (FEV1 < 50% of reference).
- Body mass index (BMI) demonstrated a direct correlation with FEV1/FC and carbon monoxide transfer.
Impact:
- Suggests unique characteristics of COPD patients in the Mediterranean area compared to other populations.
- Highlights a potentially lower incidence of low body weight syndrome in this region.
- Underscores the need for larger-scale studies to validate these observations and inform clinical practice.