Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
The association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and weight loss has long been recognized and is a common clinical observation and it is one of the systemic manifestations of COPD. A number of studies have identified weight loss and low body mass index (BMI) as independent predictors of mortality and worse prognosis.
OBJECTIVE:
We have undertaken this study to confirm the association between BMI, weight loss and COPD and the relation to its severity.
METHODS:
A cross section study of 100 patients with stable COPD have been identified and classified according to Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline. BMI have been calculated according to the formula: BMI=Body Weight (kg)/Height2 (kg/m2) Subjects; were classified according to the BMI in to three groups using World Health Organization guideline: underweight, normal weight and overweight also classified as current cigarette smokers and ex smokers.
RESULTS:
It had been shown in this study that the underweight more common in COPD (23%),compared with the control subjects only (7%).low BMI significantly associated with more severe stages of COPD and in current smoker than in Ex-smoker and with increase in age ,but there is no significant difference between gender and nutritional status .
CONCLUSION:
Weight loss is a prevalent condition in patients with COPD and BMI can be used to assess this relationship there was an interaction between smoking habits and BMI in COPD patients. BMI correlates well with FEV1 and COPD severity and can be used by every clinician because it is a simple, inexpensive, readily available tool.