Publication:

Assessment of nutritional status in chronic obstructive airways disease patients in a tertiary care hospital at Himachal Pradesh, India: a cross sectional study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortatlity worldwide. Malnourishment in COPD patients is very common and is a prognostic factor in its treatment. The present study has been conducted to assess nutritional status in COPD patients and its correlation with severity of disease.

Methods This institutional based analytical cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at tertiary care hospital in Himachal Pradesh (India) from 1 Dec 2017 to 31st May 2018. A total of 52 COPD participants attending the pulmonary Medicine OPD and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled.

Results All participants reported being smoker since long with the mean years of smoking since 31 years and about 13.6 cigarettes being smoked per day. 22 (42%) of the participants were undernourished as per BMI criteria But when  compared with MUAC criteria, a large number 38 (73%) came out to be undernourished. haemoglobin and cholesterol levels were less in patients with severe diseases than mild and moderate category (76.9%).

Conclusions The malnourishment and severity of the disease has direct correlation. More the severity of COPD, more is the malnourishment. Biochemical parameters, although not deranged significantly in any group, but more on the lower side in patients with severe COPD. There is a need for regular nutritional assessment of every COPD patient and recommendation of supplementary food for them.