Sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A study of prevalence and associated factors in Western Greek population

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a progressive loss of muscle mass and function and a systemic inflammatory process that can cause sarcopenia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence rate of sarcopenia in COPD patients and to determine the factors associated with sarcopenic patients living in Western Greece. METHODS: European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria were applied to 69 outpatients with stable COPD. Body composition, exercise capacity, functional performance, physical activity, and health status were also assessed. COPD disease severity (COPD stage) was evaluated with the Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece. RESULTS: The sample comprised 69 patients (59 women and 10 men), with a mean age of 71.33 ± 7.48 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 24.6% (n = 17). A high percentage (82.6%; n = 57) of the 69 Greek participants did not perform any regular exercise. The findings of this study demonstrated that sarcopenia was positively associated with COPD, age, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, hand grip strength, and 4 m test. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there is a 24.6% prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with COPD. Further research with larger samples would be indicated to clarify the precise association of specific characteristics of patients with sarcopenia and COPD.