Nutritional Status in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Systemic Sclerosis: Two Systemic Diseases Involving the Respiratory System

Abstract

This study aimed to assess and compare the nutritional status and life quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Thirty patients with stable COPD and 32 patients with SSc were examined. In all patients, the following parameters were measured: fat mass, fat-free mass, total body water, FEV₁, and blood gases. COPD patients’ life quality was assessed with St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, and in SSc patients with a Quality of Life Questionnaire. The results show that among COPD patients 13 % had normal body weight, 60 % were obese, and 27 % were overweight. In SSc patients, 59 % had normal body weight, 31 % were overweight, 1 patient was obese, and 2 were underweight. The mean life quality score in COPD patients was 57.3 ± 16.5, while that in SSc patients was 35.8 ± 18.2. COPD patients had a statistically significant lower life quality than SSc patients. The mean value of FEV₁ was 45.5 ± 12.2 % pred. in COPD patients, and 86.8 ± 21.2 % pred. in the SSc group. We conclude that nutritional disorders are more frequent in COPD patients compared to those with SSc.