Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form predicts exacerbation frequency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Respirology. 2014 Nov;19(8):1198-203. doi: 10.1111/resp.12380. Epub 2014 Sep 10.

Abstract

Background and objective: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a major cause of morbidity, mortality and reduced health status. Thus, to predict and prevent exacerbations is essential for the management of COPD. The aims of this study were to determine whether nutritional status as assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) predicts COPD exacerbation and to compare the ability of the MNA-SF to predict COPD exacerbation with that of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT).

Methods: Pulmonary function, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 60 stable patients with COPD (mean age, 72 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ), 51.1% predicted). The MNA-SF and CAT were also completed. Exacerbations were recorded prospectively for 1 year after the initial assessment.

Results: The mean MNA-SF score was 11.4 ± 2.4 (well nourished, 51%; at risk, 37%; and malnourished, 12%). The mean CAT score was 14.4 ± 7.5 (low impact, 37%; medium impact, 38%; high impact, 20%; and very high impact, 5%). The CAT scores were significantly associated with the mMRC scale and %FEV₁, but were not associated with BMI and the MNA-SF score. The exacerbation frequency was associated with the MNA-SF score but not with the CAT score.

Conclusions: The MNA-SF predicts COPD exacerbation independently of the CAT.

Keywords: COPD Assessment Test; Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; exacerbation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / physiopathology