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An out-patient nutritional supplementation programme in COPD patients
M K Sridhar1, A Galloway, M E Lean
1Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland.
The European Respiratory Journal
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Simple outpatient nutritional support for emphysematous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) did not significantly improve weight, lung function, or exercise capacity in malnourished patients. Gains were limited, suggesting challenges with this approach.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Conflicting results exist regarding nutritional supplementation's efficacy in emphysematous COPD.
- Intensive nutritional support has shown benefits in controlled settings, but its feasibility in clinical practice is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a simple outpatient nutritional support program for malnourished patients with emphysematous COPD.
- To assess the program's impact on body weight, anthropometric measures, lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity.
Main Methods:
- A 4-month outpatient nutritional support program was implemented for 12 malnourished COPD patients.
- Patients received dietary advice to increase caloric intake by at least 50%.
- Measurements included lung function (FVC, FEV1), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), respiratory muscle strength (PImax, PEmax), and anthropometrics.
Main Results:
- Nine patients completed the study; mean weight gain was only 0.3 kg.
- No significant improvements were observed in anthropometry, lung function, respiratory muscle strength, or VO2max for the group.
- Patients from higher socioeconomic backgrounds showed slightly better weight gain.
Conclusions:
- Simple outpatient nutritional programs are challenging for achieving significant weight gain and improving lung function in malnourished COPD patients.
- Further research may be needed to identify effective strategies for nutritional intervention in this population.