The nutritional status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The nutritional status of 38 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was assessed by dietary intake, anthropometric measurements biochemical analysis, and immunologic testing. The mean intakes for 9 nutrients were significantly greater than the 1974 Recommended Dietary Allowances of the National Academy of Sciences. Results of the anthropometric measurements for usual weight for height, fat stores, and muscle mass were significantly less than standard. Of the 32 subjects evaluated for immunocompetence, 9 were anergic (induration, 0) on all 3 skin tests. The results of this study indicated that the marasmic type of protein calorie malnutrition is a common finding among patients with COPD, and that patients with COPD who are immunoincompetent may be more susceptible to mixed protein calorie malnutrition of the kwashiorkor-marasmus type.