SEPAR and SEEN Consensus Document on Nutritional Assessment and Management in Patients with COPD

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

Background:

• Malnutrition and sarcopenia are prevalent and underdiagnosed in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.
• These conditions significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in COPD.
• Current COPD guidelines offer limited guidance on nutritional assessment and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop evidence-based recommendations for nutritional assessment and management in COPD patients.
• To address the prevalence, impact, assessment strategies, and intervention effectiveness for malnutrition in COPD.

Main Methods:

• A consensus document developed by the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) and the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN).
• Systematic reviews conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
• Evidence quality assessed using SIGN and GRADE methodologies.

Main Results:

• Identified key clinical issues regarding malnutrition in COPD: prevalence, impact, assessment, and intervention.
• Provided evidence-based recommendations for nutritional assessment and management.

Conclusions:

• Recommendations aim to support clinical decision-making for COPD patients.
• Promote early, structured, and individualized nutritional strategies.
• Improve clinical outcomes for individuals with COPD through better nutritional care.