Resting energy expenditure and carbohydrate oxidation are higher in elderly patients with COPD: a case control study.
BACKGROUND
Elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually have a compromised nutritional status which is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. To know the Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and the substrate oxidation measurement is essential to prevent these complications. This study aimed to compare the REE, respiratory quotient (RQ) and body composition between patients with and without COPD.


METHODS
This case-control study assessed 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The group of subjects without COPD (control group) consisted of 20 elderly patients attending a university gym, patients of a private service and a public healthy care. Consumption of oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) was determined by indirect calorimetry and used for calculating the resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were also measured. Percentage of body fat (%BF), lean mass (kg) and muscle mass (kg) were determined by bioimpedance. The fat free mass index (FFMI) and muscle mass index (MMI) were then calculated.


RESULTS
The COPD group had lower BMI than control (p = 0.02). However, WC, % BF, FFMI and MM-I did not differ between the groups. The COPD group had greater RQ (p = 0.01), REE (p = 0.009) and carbohydrate oxidation (p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly patients with COPD had higher REE, RQ and carbohydrate oxidation than controls.
Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba, Lins, SP, Brazil.
Bruna Rubi
BR
Ramires
Erick Prado
EP
de Oliveira
Gustavo Duarte
GD
Pimentel
Kátia Cristina Portero
KC
McLellan
Darlan Muller
DM
Nakato
Márcia Maria
MM
Faganello
Maurício Longo
ML
Galhardo
Luciene de Souza
Lde S
Venâncio
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002245:Carbon Dioxide