title: The Relationship between Body Composition and Clinical Parameters in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identify a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) to clinical parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted at a single visit involving stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at the outpatient chest clinic of the Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand. Eligible patients were evaluated for BMI, FFMI, lung function, modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea score, COPD assessment test (CAT) score, and number of acute exacerbation (AE) in the past year. The correlations of FFMI and BMI with other parameters were determined using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. Body composition was categorized into four groups, normal, semi-starvation, muscle atrophy/sarcopenia, and cachexia based on BMI and FFMI. Statistical significance was accepted at p-value < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty one stable COPD patients met study inclusion criteria. The FFMI showed a strong correlation with BMI (r = 0.792, p < 0.001). The FFMI, but not BMI, was significantly correlated with mMRC, precentage ofp redicted forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV₁), and CAT score (r = -0.315, 0.214, and -0.278, respectively). Body composition was categorized into four groups: normal body composition (n = 62, 51.2%), semi-starvation (n = 4, 3.3%), sarcopenia/ muscular atrophy (n = 12, 9.9%), and cachexia (n = 43, 35.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FFMI, but not BMI, was significantly correlated with dyspnea severity, lung function, and quality of life. Body composition category assignment is a useful clinical tool.
authors.forename: Chaicharn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pothirat
authors.forename: Warawut
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaiwong
authors.forename: Nittaya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Phetsuk
authors.forename: Chalerm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liwsrisakun
authors.forename: Chaiwat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bumroongkit
authors.forename: Athavudh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deesomchok
authors.forename: Theerakorn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theerakittikul
authors.forename: Atikun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Limsukon
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life