title: Relation between physical capacity, nutritional status and systemic inflammation in COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreased physical capacity, weight loss, fat-free mass depletion and systemic inflammation are frequently observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to examine relations between physical capacity, nutritional status, systemic inflammation and disease severity in COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty nine patients with moderate to severe COPD were included in the study. Spirometry was preformed. Physical capacity was determined by a progressive symptom limited cycle ergo meter test, incremental shuttle walking test, 12-minute walk distance and hand grip strength test. Nutritional status was investigated by anthropometric measurements, (weight, height, arm and leg circumferences and skinfold thickness) and bioelectrical impedance assessment was performed. Blood samples were analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Working capacity was positively related to forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1) ) (p < 0.001), body mass index and fat free mass index (p = 0.01) and negatively related to CRP (p = 0.02) and fibrinogen (p = 0.03). Incremental shuttle walk test was positively related to FEV(1) (p < 0.001) and negatively to CRP (p = 0.048). Hand grip strength was positively related to fat free mass index, and arm and leg circumferences. Fifty to 76% of the variation in physical capacity was accounted for when age, gender, FEV(1) , fat free mass index and CRP were combined in a multiple regression model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is related to lung function, body composition and systemic inflammation. A depiction of all three aspects of the disease might be important when targeting interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. runa.hallin@medsci.uu.se
authors.forename: Runa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hallin
authors.forename: Christer
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janson
authors.forename: Ragnheiður Harpa
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Arnardottir
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emtner
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Branth
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boman
authors.forename: Frode
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Slinde
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009929:Organ Size; D010809:Physical Fitness; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013851:Thinness; D016138:Walking; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein