Frequency and functional translation of low muscle mass in overweight and obese patients with COPD.

Background: Cut offs for fat-free mass index (FFMI) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) are available for diagnosing low muscle mass in patients with COPD. This study aimed to investigate: (1) the frequency of low muscle mass (FFMI and ASMI) applying different cut-offs and (2) the functional translation (clinical impact) of low muscle mass, in patients with COPD stratified into BMI categories.

Methods: Patients with COPD were assessed regarding body composition, exercise capacity, quadriceps muscle strength, symptoms of anxiety and depression, dyspnea and quality of life upon referral to pulmonary rehabilitation.

Effects of obesity on weight-bearing versus weight-supported exercise testing in patients with COPD.

Background And Objective: Obesity is associated with increased dyspnoea and reduced health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies on the effects of obesity on exercise capacity showed divergent results. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of obesity on weight-bearing versus weight-supported exercise tolerance in obese and normal weight patients, matched for age, gender and degree of airflow limitation.

Abdominal fat mass contributes to the systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Unlabelled: BACK GROUND & AIMS: Altered body composition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often reflected by muscle wasting, while only few studies have focused on abdominal fat mass. The contribution of abdominal fat mass to the systemic inflammation often present in COPD has not been examined yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate if abdominal fat mass contributes to the systemic inflammation in patients with moderate to severe COPD.