Global muscle dysfunction as a risk factor of readmission to hospital due to COPD exacerbations.

Unlabelled: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with several modifiable (sedentary life-style, smoking, malnutrition, hypoxemia) and non-modifiable (age, co-morbidities, severity of pulmonary function, respiratory infections) risk factors. We hypothesise that most of these risk factors may have a converging and deleterious effects on both respiratory and peripheral muscle function in COPD patients.

Methods: A multicentre study was carried out in 121 COPD patients (92% males, 63 ± 11 yr, FEV(1), 49 ± 17%pred).