Dietary Behaviour and Nutrition in Patients with COPD Treated with Long-Term Oxygen Therapy

It is the first study in Poland and one of the first in the world to assess the nutrition of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).

The study group consisted of 110 COPD patients treated with LTOT. Anthropometric measurements and spirometry were performed. The diet of patients was assessed using a 3-day nutrition diary.

When assessing the degree of airflow obstruction (FEV1% N) depending on the BMI in patients treated with LTOT, a statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the BMI and the value of the FEV% N parameter (p = 0.0093). Patients with COPD with a BMI >30 had statistically significantly higher values of FEV1% N than patients with a BMI in the range of 20-24.9 (p = 0.0278). Intake of calcium, vitamins A, C, D, E and folates was lower than the recommended daily intake in more than 95% of COPD patients.

The diet of COPD patients treated with long-term oxygen therapy was improperly balanced, with deficiencies of important nutrients. Airflow obstruction in the respiratory tract was significantly smaller in obese patients, and greater in patients with diagnosed malnutrition.