Variation in body mass index in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Paudel, Mukesh S; Mandal, Amrendra; Kafle, Paritosh; Sidhu, Jasdeep S; Puri, Pradeep; Chaulagai, Baikuntha; Mojahedi, Azad; Gayam, Vijay · J Family Med Prim Care · 2019

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation. Weight loss seen in patients with COPD is a consequence of this inflammation. We hypothesized that higher grades of COPD are associated with greater degree of weight loss. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the body mass index (BMI) of 34 patients with COPD proven by handheld spirometer. The difference in BMI among various grades of COPD was compared. BMI was found to be inversely related to the grades of COPD in our study (<i>P</i> = 0.001). No significant difference was seen among the patients with regards to age and duration of symptoms before presentation. Advanced COPD is associated with greater degree of weight loss.