Last update:
14-Oct-2014

OBJECTIVE To assess possible Δ-changes in the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) over time, and specifically the contribution of body mass index (BMI).

METHOD A prospective study was made of 50 patients with already diagnosed COPD in a private medical care setting. The impact of COPD-related symptoms on their health status was assessed using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), which consists of 8 questions with Likert-type responses of 0−5, with a total score of 0−40; a higher CAT score indicates a greater burden on the health status. The BMI of the participants was assessed as follows: normal (18.5−24.9), overweight (25−29.9) and obese (>=30). Δ-changes in the CAT score were assessed by three measurements over a 6-month period. Correlation between the CAT score and BMI was assessed using the Kruskal Wallis method and simple linear logistic regression. A p-value of <=0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS About half of the patients (52%) were aged 65 years and over and 42% were overweight or obese and smokers at enrolment. A significant improvement in the health status of patients with COPD was observed from the 1st to the 2nd and 3rd measurements (mean 12.5±7.4, 10.4±7.2, and 8.1±7.2, respectively, p<0.001). The BMI was significantly associated with Δ-changes in health status between measurements: 3rd−1st, p=0.025 and 3rd−2nd, p=0.039 (y=-12.5+0.28*x, p=0.049), showing a linear trend; specifically, patients with a greater BMI had higher health status scores, but to a significant degree only for patients with normal BMI.

CONCLUSIONS The maintenance of normal body weight significantly improves the health status in the daily life of patients with COPD.

Key words: Body mass index, COPD, Quality of life, Spirometry.