RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF MALNUTRITION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Autori:
Žarko Vrbica, Andrea Vukić Dugac, Sanja Popović Grle, Tajana Jalušić Glunčić, Marko Jakopović, Sandra Bival, Željko Krznarić, Miroslav Samaržija
Sažetak
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a significant public health problem with estimated prevalence of 10-15% in adult population in Croatia. COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by significant systemic disorders that can lead to poorer quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. Protein-energy malnutrition can be found in 25-40% of patients with COPD, with higher prevalence as disease progresses. Thus, COPD is defined as a multicomponent disease and treatment should be based on correction of all systemic disorders. Cachexia and muscle wasting is a frequent complication in COPD patients, an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality, and can accelerate frequency and severity of exacerbation. The aim of the Croatian Thoracic Society with these recommendations is to emphasize the importance of timely determination of the nutritional status of COPD patients by using a validated tool and defining a specific phenotype of patients. Adequate nutritional care needs to be provided in malnourished patients and those at risk of developing malnutrition.