Integrated role of nutrition in COPD management
COPD presents a specific metabolic challenge to the body, with a higher resting metabolic rate (approximately 550kcal/day) and increased oxidative stress. Loss of muscle mass and weight is commonly seen in COPD patients, and may be explained by increased energy expenditure due to the additional effort required for breathing and the chronic inflammation. COPD patients also commonly experience post prandial discomfort from eating or drinking, leading to reductions in meal sizes, avoidance of eating and falling calorific intake, reducing physical capacity and exacerbating muscle loss. In addition, loss of muscle mass in COPD is the consequence of an imbalance between protein synthesis and protein breakdown. 9-13
There is a clear role for the use of targeted nutritional intervention plus exercise as part of the COPD management pathway (for example through pulmonary rehabilitation programmes), alongside existing management for COPD (eg bronchodilators). 2
As Respifor® is designed specifically for COPD patients, using Respifor® provides the opportunity for clinicians to integrate nutrition and exercise into current treatment programmes.
References:
2. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Available at http://www.goldcopd.com/Guidelineitem.asp?l1=2&l2=1&intId=2003 [Accessed August 2009].
9. Creutzberg EC et al. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998;52: 396-401
10. Schols et al. Thorax 1996;51:819-824
11. Vermeeren et al. European Respiratory Journal 1997;10:2264-9
12. King DA et al. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society. 2008;5(4):519-23
13. Vermeeren MA et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2001;73:295-301