Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation. Weight loss seen in patients with COPD is a consequence of this inflammation. We hypothesized that higher grades of COPD are associated with greater degree of weight loss.
Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the body mass index (BMI) of 34 patients with COPD proven by handheld spirometer. The difference in BMI among various grades of COPD was compared.
Results: BMI was found to be inversely related to the grades of COPD in our study (P = 0.001). No significant difference was seen among the patients with regards to age and duration of symptoms before presentation.
Conclusion: Advanced COPD is associated with greater degree of weight loss.
Keywords: Body mass index; inflammation; metabolism; nutrition; obstructive lung diseases.