Frequency of sarcopenia and associated outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background/aim: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and associated outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 219 patients aged 50 years and over who were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. The study included 196 (89.5%) male and 23 (10.5%) female patients. The mean age of the patients was 66.9 ± 10.1 years. To diagnose sarcopenia, muscle function was determined by a gait speed test. Muscle strength was assessed with a hand dynamometer and muscle mass was measured with a bioelectrical impedance analysis device. Pulmonary function tests and six-min walking tests were also performed. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale was used to evaluate all the participants. Our sample consisted of sarcopenic patients at different stages (17 presarcopenic patients (7.8%), 32 patients with sarcopenia (14.6%), 65 patients with severe sarcopenia (29.7%), and 105 nonsarcopenic patients (47.9%). Results: Sarcopenia was significantly associated with age, BODE (body mass index (BMI), airflow obstruction, dyspnoea, and exercise capacity) index, GOLD spirometric classification, mMRC dyspnoea scale score, BMI, and educational status. Sarcopenia in COPD patients was firmly related to the severity of the disease and its prognosis. The prevalence of sarcopenia increased in severe and very severe COPD cases. The dyspnoea score was higher, and exercise capacities were lower in sarcopenic patients. Conclusions: Sarcopenia in COPD patients was closely related to the severity of COPD and a negative prognosis. The frequency of sarcopenia increased in severe and very severe COPD cases. Dyspnoea scores were higher and exercise capacities were lower in patients with sarcopenia. In patients with COPD, a diagnosis of sarcopenia should be considered, and preventive measures should be taken before irreversible changes develop.