Muscle mass and function are related to respiratory function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as an airway limitation condition, is accompanied by alteration of muscle mass and function. We aimed to determine the relationship between disease severity and body composition, muscle function, and nutritional status in COPD patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 129 COPD participants. Muscle strength, body composition, and calf circumference (CC) were measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and a tape measure, respectively. Furthermore, fat-free mass index (FFMI), body mass index (BMI) and muscle mass value were calculated by equations. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was assessed as well. Nutritional status was also evaluated by subjective global assessment (SGA) questionnaire. SPSS software (version 21 ) was used, chi-square, fisher’s exact test, univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used for statistical analysis. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Based on FEV1 classification, 52.7% of the patients had severe conditions. The reports indicated that the prevalence of low CC was 54.2%, low muscle mass 38.7%, low FFMI 34.8%, low right handgrip strength 61.2% and low left handgrip strength 64.3%. Furthermore, there was an increasing trend based on FEV1 in low CC (p=0.032), low muscle mass (p=0.005), low FFMI (p=0.002), low right handgrip strength (p=0.004) and low left handgrip strength (p=0.014). The results of univariate analysis showed muscle mass (p=0.036), total protein (p=0.043), FFM (p=0.047), FFMI (p=0.007), SGA (p=0.029), right handgrip strength (p=0.004) and left hand grip strength (p=0.023) were associated with FEV1. In addition, the results of multivariate analysis demonstrated low values of FFMI (p=0.005) and right handgrip strength (p=0.042) were the main detrimental factors for FEV1. The results of multivariate analysis were confirmed by stepwise model. Conclusion: Low values of muscle mass and function are prevalent among COPD patients. The present study revealed that low FFMI and handgrip strength were closely related to disease severity.

The Correlation of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Hand Dynamometry in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients A Case Control study

“…COPD is a progressive disease, and reduced muscle mass and hand grip strength may be associated with the disease severity. Although the association between low hand grip strength and chronic lung disease is multifactorial 24 .…”

Health-Related Quality of Life and Nutritional Status Are Related to Dietary Magnesium Intake in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In addition, an educated person based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) committee checked and reevaluated the records of individuals diagnosed with COPD through obstructive pulmonary spirometry. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity ratio < 0.70 value and fixed FEV1 values were used for anticipation of the disease and categorize its severity which previously explained in details [ 19 ]. Also, a pulmonary specialist reaffirmed patients with COPD again.…”

Body Composition and COPD: A New Perspective

“…FFMI, an indirect measure of muscle mass, is frequently used to define a condition in which there is abnormally low muscle mass together with impaired muscle strength or function, [71][72][73] and FFMI is also a reliable indicator of COPD mortality. 74,75 Patients with COPD who have abnormally low FFMI have detrimental effects on their ability to exercise, dyspnea, respiratory muscle function, and lung function.…”