COPD and nutritional abnormalities

3^rd International Conference on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

July 11-12, 2016 Brisbane, Australia

Joaquim Gea

Pompeu Fabra University, Spain

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Pulm Respir Med

Abstract :

Nutritional abnormalities are oft en associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Th eir early detection is important, since they determine the patient's prognosis independently of the degree of lung function impairment. In addition, nutritional abnormalities are involved in muscle dysfunction, which in turn leads to exercise limitation, loss of quality of life and increased mortality. However, the presence/absence of malnutrition is a factor that has not been included in the majority of clinical guidelines. Th e diagnostic techniques include both anthropometry and measurement of body composition (mainly through bioelectrical impedance). Th e most commonly used anthropometric variables are body mass index (BMI) and the percentage of ideal body weight, while fat-free mass index (FFMI) is the most commonly used impedance variable. Th e causes of malnutrition associated with COPD include smoking, systemic infl ammation, imbalance between nutrient intakes and energy consumption, impairment in respiratory gas exchange and the eff ects of anabolic hormones, eff ects of some drugs, decreased physical activity and comorbidities. All these causes lead mainly to an imbalance between protein synthesis and destruction and a predominance of bone resorption with loss of muscle, fat and bone mass. Th e treatment includes an improvement in lifestyle (avoid tobacco smoking, better quality in nutrient intake, increase in physical activity, exercise training) and if necessary, the use of nutritional support (enteral or even parenteral) and anabolic agents (e.g., selective androgen receptor modulators [SARM] or secretagogues of the growth hormone). Th ese drugs seem to be more eff ective when associated with training.

Biography :

Joaquim Gea has obtained his MD (1979) and PhD (1989) degrees at the Universitat de Barcelona, being Specialist in both Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine. He is the Head of the Respiratory Department at Hospital del Mar, full Professor and Dean in the School of Medicine at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, has been Visiting Professor at McGill (1994-1995) and Johns Hopkins (2010-2011) universities and Deputy Director of the Spanish Network of Excellence for Research in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES). He has been funded by 65 competitive grants, including 4 projects from the European Commission and published more than 260 original articles and reviews in peer reviewed journals as well as 50 book chapters.

Email: JGea@parcdesalutmar.cat