title: The effect of protein supplementation on quality of life, physical function, and muscle strength in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The combination of protein supplementation with exercise is successful in increasing weight and energy intake, as well as exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in sarcopenic patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive disease (COPD). However, the potential benefit of protein supplementation for non-sarcopenic patients with COPD has yet not previously been examined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of protein supplementation on quality of life, physical function, muscle strength and biochemical blood markers in patients diagnosed with COPD undergoing nine weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, parallel group randomised clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients referred from their general practitioners to the COPD rehabilitation outpatient programme at the local community rehabilitation centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (N.=53) with stable moderate to severe COPD diagnosed with COPD, 40 years or older and with a BMI<30.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were assigned to one of two groups to receive either twice daily protein supplementation (9.3 g of protein/566.4 KJ) plus exercise or exercise only. Before and after nine weeks of rehabilitation, mental state was measured by means of St George Respiratory Questionnaire, physical performance was evaluated by shuttle walking test and maximal muscle strength test, and fasting blood samples were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementing exercise with protein had no additional effect on any of the outcome measures. However, shuttle walk time, St George total score and subscore for impact improved as effect of time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial was unable to provide evidence for the effect of protein supplementation on quality of life, physical function, and muscle strength in non-sarcopenic patients with moderate to severe COPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of protein supplementation in COPD-rehabilitation should focus on identifying patients to receive supplement with protein and from those who will not benefit.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark - pahnfeldt-mollerup@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ahnfeldt-Mollerup
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hey
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brix Lindskov
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jensahnfeldt-Mollerupen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010045:Outpatients; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins