title: Anthropometric Indicators Associated with Dyspnea and Spirometric Parameters in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine anthropometric indicators associated with dyspnea and spirometric parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional and observational study was carried out on 88 patients with COPD, who were visited in an outpatient respiratory clinic of a university hospital during two months. Patient height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) and subscapular skinfold thickness (SST) were recorded. Also, data on lung function and dyspnea were collected. The association between anthropometric indices and other parameters was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)% predicted was positively correlated with BMI (R=0.239, P<0.05) and MUAC (R=0.431, P<0.01). By applying ANOVA, we found that the relationship between FEV1% predicted and BMI (P=0.007), WC (P=0.019) and MUAC (P<0.001) was statistically significant. Chi-square test showed that there was an association between MUAC and dyspnea (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a relationship between FEV1% predicted and some anthropometric indices such as BMI, MUAC and WC; also, we found an association between MUAC and dyspnea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Division, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Isfahan Internal Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emami Ardestani
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Internal Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Medical Student Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghazaleh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sajadi
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jazayeri
keywords: Anthropometry; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Dyspnea; Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)