title: Low body mass index, airflow obstruction, and dyspnoea in a primary care COPD patient population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to explore the existence/co-existence of factors - as per American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) standards - for staging patients in a primary care COPD population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample of COPD patients in primary care was studied. Cross-sectional information on airflow obstruction, body mass index (BMI), and dyspnoea (Modified Medical Research Council [MMRC] score) were collected. The existence/co-existence of these prognostic factors is described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study sample consisted of 2,023 patients. BMI was low in 11.7%, MMRC score > or =2 was found in 28.7%, and 53.9% fulfilled the criteria of relevant airflow obstruction. Only 3.4% of this population scored on all three prognostic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate dyspnoea and moderate airflow obstruction were rather prevalent in this primary care population, but coexistence of factors was low. Therefore, it seems that the assessment of BMI and dyspnoea represent additional information on primary care COPD patients.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. L.vandenbemt@elg.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Lisette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van den Bemt
authors.forename: Ivo J M
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Smeele
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolkman
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grol
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Weel
authors.forename: Tjard R J
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Schermer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry