The relationship of subjective global assessment with respiratory function and other nutrition parameters in COPD

Abstract

Background and purpose: Malnutrition, weight loss and low body mass in COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are independent and negative risk factors regarding the survival of these patients. Malnutrition may lead to the deterioration of skeletal and respiratory muscles, causing respiratory failure. Parameters used for nutritional status evaluation include anthropometry, biochemical measurements and subjective global assessment. The number of studies investigating the nutritional status using subjective global assessment in COPD patients were was limited. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of SGA for nutritional status in COPD patients and to determine the relationships between SGA, respiratory function tests, and some nutritional parameters. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 79 patients who were referred to Luleburgaz State Hospital, Chest Diseases Outpatient Clinic between October 2010 - February 2011 and who met the inclusion criteria as well as accepting to participate in the study. Pulmonary function tests were performed of the patients. All patients underwent subjective assessment of nutrition status using the SGA questionnaire and objective assessment through anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Results: According to the GOLD classification, 45.4% of the patients had moderate COPD and 38% had severe COPD. It was observed that the average BMI decreased with increasing COPD severity. The FEV1 % and FEV1/FVC (%) values in the malnutrition group were significantly lower than the well nourished group (p<0.05). It was determined that the albumine and transferin levels significantly decreased with the worsening of nutritional status (p<0.05). There were significant and negative correlations between the SGA scores and respiratory parameters, albumine, hemoglobin, transferin and BMI. Conclusion: SGA is a convenient instrument for evaluating the nutritional status in COPD patients and is correlated to other nutritional parameters.