RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sarcopenia in COPD: prevalence, clinical correlates and response to pulmonary rehabilitation
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 213
OP 218
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206440
VO 70
IS 3
A1 Sarah E Jones
A1 Matthew Maddocks
A1 Samantha S C Kon
A1 Jane L Canavan
A1 Claire M Nolan
A1 Amy L Clark
A1 Michael I Polkey
A1 William D-C Man
YR 2015
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/70/3/213.abstract
AB Background Age-related loss of muscle, sarcopenia, is recognised as a clinical syndrome with multiple contributing factors. International European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria require generalised loss of muscle mass and reduced function to diagnose sarcopenia. Both are common in COPD but are usually studied in isolation and in the lower limbs. Objectives To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in COPD, its impact on function and health status, its relationship with quadriceps strength and its response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Methods EWGSOP criteria were applied to 622 outpatients with stable COPD. Body composition, exercise capacity, functional performance, physical activity and health status were assessed. Using a case–control design, response to PR was determined in 43 patients with sarcopenia and a propensity score-matched non-sarcopenic group. Results Prevalence of sarcopenia was 14.5% (95% CI 11.8% to 17.4%), which increased with age and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) stage, but did not differ by gender or the presence of quadriceps weakness (14.9 vs 13.8%, p=0.40). Patients with sarcopenia had reduced exercise capacity, functional performance, physical activity and health status compared with patients without sarcopenia (p<0.001), but responded similarly following PR; 12/43 patients were no longer classified as sarcopenic following PR. Conclusions Sarcopenia affects 15% of patients with stable COPD and impairs function and health status. Sarcopenia does not impact on response to PR, which can lead to a reversal of the syndrome in select patients.