Nutritional Support in Malnourished Outpatients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Nutrition
• Public Health

Background:

• Evidence for nutritional support in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) primarily relies on ready-to-drink oral nutritional supplements (ONSs).
• Limited research exists on the effectiveness of powdered ONSs combined with dietary counseling for malnutrition in COPD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of powdered ONSs and individualized dietary counseling in managing malnutrition among COPD outpatients.
• To compare routine care (counseling + recommended ONS purchase) with an enhanced intervention (counseling + free ONS provision).

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 33 malnourished COPD outpatients over 12 weeks.
• Group A received counseling and was advised to purchase powdered ONSs; Group B received counseling and free powdered ONSs.
• Outcomes assessed included nutritional intake, weight, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• The entire cohort showed significant improvements in protein intake (+25.4 g/d), weight (+1.1 kg), and quality of life (-4.4).
• Adherence to ONSs was linked to greater weight gain (1.9 kg vs. 0.4 kg).
• No significant differences were found between the two groups at study's end.

Conclusions:

• Nutritional support significantly enhances nutrition status and quality of life in malnourished COPD outpatients.
• Adherence to ONSs is crucial for achieving improvements, highlighting the importance of ONS type and provision method.
• Further research should consider these factors for optimizing nutritional interventions in COPD management.