Body Mass Index as a Predictor of Quality of life of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background and Aim: Studies have reported that excessive weight and obesity are common in the early stages of
COPD, and malnutrition is common in moderate and severe COPD. COPD is known to show “obesity paradox”
i.e., obese and overweight COPD patients have better outcome of disease as compared to underweights. The aim
of the study was to assess the BMI of COPD patients, its distribution and relationship with various factors.
Material and Methods: Present study was conducted at tertiary care institute of India for the duration of one
year. Total 400 COPD patients were selected to assess their body mass index (BMI) using Quetelet’s formula.
Study subjects were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Study subjects were categorized as per
WHO’s classification of BMI for Asian populations.
Results: Out of a total of 400 subjects enrolled in the study, majority (49%) were obese followed by 35% overweights
and 7% underweights. Health-related quality of life of undernourished patients was most affected. A statistically
significant relation was seen across all the components of SGRQ.
Conclusion: Present research established that, the disease related malnutrition is common in COPD patients,
therefore, BMI might be a useful indicator to predict the prognosis of disease. This calls for an urgent need by our
primary care physicians to provide simultaneous weight management interventions in COPD patients so as to
improve their nutritional status, enhance the strength of respiratory muscles and reduce the inflammation which
will be effective in long-term management of the disease.