The relationship of dyspnea and disease severity with anthropometric indicators of malnutrition among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective: To find the association of dyspnea and disease severity with anthropometric indicators of malnutrition among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Methods: The cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore during October 2013 to December 2014. Total 138 adult patients with severe COPD were enrolled. The severity of disease was measured by global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria; and dyspnea was assessed by modified medical research council dyspnea scale. Anthropometric indicators of malnutrition such as body mass index (BMI) and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured to evaluate the nutritional status of COPD patients. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.

Results: The mean age of 138 patients was 55