title: Dietary intake of elderly outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often associated with malnutrition, which is in turn associated with poor outcomes. Accordingly, in COPD patients adequate nutrition might improve several clinical and functional outcomes. Nevertheless, information about nutrient intake of older populations with COPD is still scanty.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed data of 523 elderly attending a geriatric ambulatory. Of these, 165 had a diagnosis of COPD, while 358 were control participants, matched for demographic characteristics and free from respiratory diseases. COPD was diagnosed according to the global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) criteria. The intake of micro and macronutrients was recorded using the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC) questionnaire. Nutrient intake of COPD patients was compared with that of the control group and with recommended dietary allowances RDA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  COPD patients had a lower energy intake, as compared with control participants (29.4 vs 34.4 kcal/kg of ideal weight; P<.0001), due to reduced intake of carbohydrates and proteins. Accordingly, in the energy intake was lower than recommended in 52% of COPD patients, vs 30% of controls (P<.0001). The intake of calcium, potassium, folate, cholecalciferol, retinol, and thiamine was lower than RDA in over 75% of COPD patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diet of elderly COPD outpatients does not provide the recommended energy intake, nor does it meet the RDA for many micronutrients. Such deficits are more severe than in age matched non- respiratory subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 200-00128 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: lavoralice@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laudisio
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 200-00128 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 200-00128 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Gioia
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Sofia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Delussu
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traballesi
authors.affiliation: UOS Accesso e Presa in Carico Assistenziale, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma E, Borgo S. Spirito, 3 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gemma
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 200-00128 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonelli Incalzi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010045:Outpatients; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Diet; Elderly; Epidemiology; Nutrition