Effect of supplementing a high-fat,low-carbohydrate enteral formula in COPD patients

OBJECTIVE: One of the goals in treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who suffer from hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and malnutrition is to correct the malnutrition without increasing the respiratory quotient and minimize the production of carbon dioxide. This 3-wk study evaluated the efficacy of feeding a high-fat, low-carbohydrate (CHO) nutritional supplement as opposed to a high-carbohydrate diet in COPD patients on parameters of pulmonary function.S METHODS: Sixty COPD patients with low body weight (<90% ideal body weight) were randomized to the control group, which received dietary counseling for a high-CHO diet (15% protein, 20% to 30% fat, and 60% to 70% CHO), or the experimental group, which received two to three cans (237 mL/can) of a high-fat, low-CHO oral supplement (16.7% protein, 55.1% fat, and 28.2% CHO) in the evening as part of the diet. Measurements of lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s or volume of air exhaled in 1 s of maximal expiration, minute ventilation, oxygen consumption per unit time, carbon dioxide production in unit time, and respiratory quotient) and blood gases (pH, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and arterial oxygen tension) were taken at baseline and after 3 wk. RESULTS: Lung function measurements decreased significantly and forced expiratory volume increased significantly in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that pulmonary function in COPD patients can be significantly improved with a high-fat, low-CHO oral supplement as compared with the traditional high-CHO diet.     

Increased resting energy expenditure is related to plasma TNF-alpha concentration in stable COPD patients

The objective of this study was to test whether increased resting energy expenditure (REE) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is related to increased cost of breathing and/or to increased cytokine production.In 36 non-inflammatory (CRP: 17.6 +/- 13.1 mg.l(-1), mean +/- SD; orosomucoid: 0.71 +/- 0.18 g.l(-1)), non-malnourished (BMI: 23.6 +/- 4.3 kg.m(-2)), clinically stable, non severely hypoxic COPD patients (60.5 +/- 8.9 years) we measured REE, pulmonary function and plasma cytokine concentrations (TNF-alpha, IL1 and IL6). REE was increased by 10 +/- 11% (P< 0.001) above predicted values. Plasma TNF-alpha concentration was increased in all patients (mean value 26.3 +/- 14.3 pg.ml(-1)). Excess REE (with respect to values predicted by Harris-Benedict equations) was correlated with plasma TNF-alpha concentration (P< 0.005), but not with the degree of airway obstruction, lung overinflation, or with oxygen cost of breathing. Theophylline treatment resulted in a significant increase in REE by 15%.In conclusion: non-malnourished, clinically stable, non-severely hypoxic COPD patients display an increased REE that is related with plasma TNF-alpha concentration (without apparent systemic inflammation) and to theophylline treatment, but that is independent of parameters of respiratory function.     

无创通气治疗老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭疗效观察

目的评价双水平无创正压通气治疗老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的临床疗效。方法98例60岁以上慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者,分为治疗组44例和对照组54例,两组均给予常规药物治疗,治疗组同时给予双水平无创正压通气无创通气治疗。结果两组患者治疗后临床症状均有不同程度缓解,治疗组较对照组起效更快,疗效更好;两组治疗后血气分析均有显著改善,治疗组改善程度明显优于对照组,且无1例发生腹胀、面部皮肤压伤、气压伤或呼吸机相关肺炎。结论双水平无创正压通气无创通气是治疗老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的一种安全有效的方法。     

Characteristics of tidal expiratory flow pattern in healthy people and patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

According to data reported in literature tidal breathing parameters and especially tidal expiratory flow pattern parameters can be useful in distinguishing airflow obstruction. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the parameters of the tidal breathing in healthy people and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study sample included 158 patients with COPD in clinically stable condition and different degree of functional disturbances (FEV1% pred. = 42% +/- 15%; ATS dyspnea scale = 2.5 +/- 0.9; mean +/- SD). The control group of healthy subjects consisted of 43 men and 37 women. The obtained results show that TPTEF/TE (the time necessary to reach the peak expiratory flow in tidal breathing over the total expiratory time) and VPTEF/VE (the volume necessary to reach the peak expiratory flow in tidal breathing over the total expiratory volume) are an independent aspect of tidal breathing. In healthy people these parameters show weak negative correlation with age and high variability. In COPD they are statistically significantly lower than those of healthy people but, since they are highly variable, they cannot be used for an individual assessment. The increase of the mean inspiratory flow (TV/Tin) and the shortening of VPTEF/VE, TPTEF/TE and Tin/Ttot, are indicative of the lung mechanics changes which have a bearing on dyspnea, too. According to factor analysis the parameters of tidal breathing are four separate dimensions: 1. Breathing frequency and respiratory times; 2. Relationship between the respiratory times; 3. Minute ventilation, mean expiratory flow, mean inspiratory flow and tidal volume; 4. Parameters of the expiratory flow VPTEF/VE and TPTEF/TE. The parameters of forced expiration and those of tidal breathing are separate dimensions of the functional profile of patients with COPD.     

Breathing pattern assessment in normocapnic and hypercapnic patients in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Thirty-six patients, 24 normocapnic (mean age +/- SD: 60 +/- 10) and 12 hypercapnic (mean age +/- SD: 64 +/- 9) were compared with a control group (10 volunteers, mean age +/- SD: 46 +/- 8) for the following patterns of respiratory drive and respiratory timing: (1) mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti); (2) mouth occlusion pressure 100 ms after the onset of inspiration (P 0.1) and minute ventilation (Ve); (3) inspiratory duty cycle Ti/Tt). The data suggest COPD "respiratory patterns" which may be characterized by the following features: (1) increased mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti); (2) increased P 0.1 (in absolute values), P 0.1/Ve and P 0.1/Vt/Ti; (3) reduction in inspiratory duty cycle (Ti/Tt). Changes are more evident in inspiratory duty cycle among hypercapnic pts. When respiratory obstruction becomes worse and hypercapnia appears, the Ti/Tt decrease could be explained by a reduction in diaphragm muscle work, that can prevent the failure of diaphragmatic contractility.     

Nutritional support in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during hospitalization for an acute exacerbation; a randomized controlled feasibility trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Previous studies reported a severely impaired energy balance in COPD patients during the first days of an acute exacerbation, mainly due to a decreased energy and protein intake. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of energy- and protein-rich nutritional supplements during hospitalization for an acute exacerbation in nutritionally depleted COPD patients. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled two-center trial, 56 COPD patients were randomized and 47 patients completed the study. Nutritional intervention consisted of 3 x 125 ml (2.38 MJ/day) and the placebo group received similar amounts of a non-caloric fluid. Medical therapy and dietetic consultation were standardized and dietary intake was measured daily. Body composition, respiratory and skeletal muscle strength, lung function and symptoms were measured on admission and on days 4 and 8 of hospitalization. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of the patients had experienced recent involuntary weight loss prior to admission. The degree of weight loss was inversely related to resting arterial oxygen tension (r = 0.31; P < 0.05). Nutritional intervention resulted in a significant increase in energy (16% vs. placebo) and protein intake (38% vs. placebo). Mean duration of hospitalization was 9 +/- 2 days. Relative to usual care, no additional improvements in lung function or muscle strength were seen after nutritional intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Oral nutritional supplementation during hospitalization for an acute exacerbation is feasible in nutritionally depleted COPD patients and does not interfere with normal dietary intake.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺间质纤维化的临床研究

目的分析慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺间质纤维化（IPF—COPD）的特点并探讨其临床意义。方法分析6年来我院发现的28例PIF-COPD患者的病史、临床表现、X线胸片、肺高分辫率CT（HR—CT）、血气分析和肺功能检查结果。结果PIF—COPD的临床表现介于上述两种疾病,常有长期大量吸烟史。X线胸片、HRCT兼有两种疾病的特点。其肺功能多为混合性通气功能障碍,一氧化碳弥散量（DLCO）多为中重度下降。血气以低氧血症为主,部分合并有二氧化碳潴留。结论COPD和IPF是两种不同疾病,但可以同时存在,其临床表现具有独特性。肺功能检查、血气分析、X线胸片和肺CT．尤其肺HR—CT可为确诊提供依据。     

经鼻(面)罩机械通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病呼吸衰竭

目的观察慢性阻塞性肺疾病（ＣＯＰＤ）呼吸衰竭患者经鼻（面）罩机械通气的效果。方法对２９例慢性阻塞性肺疾病呼吸衰竭患者行经鼻（面）罩机械通气。结果治疗后２小时、２４小时、４８小时、１周后,ｐＨ从７．２８±０．１上升至７．３４±０．０７、７．３５±０．０６、７．３８±０．０５、７．３７±０．０７（Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＰａＣＯ２从９４．６９±１８．４ｍｍＨｇ下降至８６．０５±２４．６ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．０１）、７７．７６±１９．３ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．０１）、６８．６０±１１．４ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．００１）、６６．６９±２６．９ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．００１）,ＰａＯ２从５２．７２±１３．１ｍｍＨｇ上升至６４．２５±２４．５ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．０５）、６９．０１±１６．６ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．００２）、７５．２７±３２．８ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．００１）、９１．１６±４０．４ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．００１）。临床症状明显改善,有效率７５．９％。结论经鼻（面）罩机械通气对轻、中度的患者有较好的疗效。     

氨溴索在慢性阻塞性肺疾病并呼吸衰竭患者机械通气中的应用

目的探讨氨溴索对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)并呼吸衰竭患者机械通气过程中呼吸力学的影响。方法COPD并呼吸衰竭的机械通气患者96例,随机分成对照组和治疗组,治疗组加用氨溴索治疗,监测气道峰压(PIP)、平台压(Pplat)、平均气道压(Pm)、内源性呼气末正压(PEEPi)、静态顺应性(Cs)、动态顺应性(Cd)和呼气阻力(Ri)变化及血气分析。结果氨溴索能显著降低患者Ri、PIP、Pplat、Pm、PEEPi水平,显著增高Cs、Cd水平,显著提高动脉氧气分压和氧合指数。结论氨溴索能明显改善COPD并呼吸衰竭机械通气患者的呼吸力学状态,对呼吸机相关性肺损伤具有保护作用。     

Evaluation of peripheral muscle oxygenation during exercise by spatially resolved spectroscopy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Spatially resolved (SR) spectroscopy has enabled non-invasive and continuous measurement of muscle oxygen saturation during exercise. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), skeletal muscle dysfunction has been widely studied histochemically and biochemically. However, impairment of muscle oxygenation during exercise has not been elucidated yet. METHODS: We measured oxygen saturation in the vastus lateralis muscle (SmO2) using SR spectrometry during incremental cycle exercise in 16 COPD patients and 10 age-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS: Significant decrease in SmO2 was found at peak exercise compared with warm-up in both groups (56.9 +/- 6.0% to 47.3 +/- 6.8% in patients with COPD, p<0.001; 60.7 +/- 5.8% to 49.9 +/- 7.7% in healthy subjects, p<0.01). The decrease in SmO2 was linear with respect to increase in work rate, and the slope of SmO2 was significantly steeper in COPD patients than in healthy subjects (-0.282 +/- 0.159 vs -0.107 +/- 0.057 %/Watt, p<0.001). The slope of SmO2 in COPD patients significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) (p<0.01), peak percutaneous oxygen saturation (p<0.05), and peak pulmonary oxygen consumption (p<0.05). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that BMI was a significant determinant of the SmO2 slope (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that oxygenation of peripheral muscle is impaired during exercise in COPD patients and that BMI contributes independently to the change of muscle oxygen saturation with exercise in COPD patients. SR spectroscopy will provide useful information for the study of the dynamics of muscle oxygenation in COPD patients.     

Severe chronic hypoxemia in cirrhosis]

In the course of cirrhosis, severe chronic hypoxemia (< 60 mmHg) is exceptional, it is the most often in contact with intrapulmonary vascular anomalies and necessitates complex investigations. Authors reported a case of 16-years old patient, breach of cirrhosis with underdevelopment and that presents a severe chronic respiratory insufficiency not improved by the addition of oxygen. The different practiced explorations are in favor of an hepatopulmonary syndrome secondary probably to intrapulmonary shunting.     

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep: the interaction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death, affecting 14 millions adults in the United States. Symptoms related to sleep disturbances are common in individuals with moderate to severe COPD, particularly in the elderly, which is commonly manifested as morning fatigue and early awakenings. One major cause of morbidity in this population is abnormalities in gas exchange and resultant hypoxemia as they can lead to elevated pulmonary pressures, dyspnea and in severe cases right ventricular overload and failure. Sleep has profound adverse effects on respiration and gas exchange in patients with COPD. There are several mechanisms underlying nonapneic oxygen desaturation during sleep. They include decreased functional residual capacity, diminished ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia, impaired respiratory mechanics, diminished arousal, respiratory muscle fatigue, diminished nonchemical respiratory drive, increased upper airway resistance, and the starting point of baseline saturation values while awake on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. Smoking cessation, bronchodilation, inhaled steroids in those with a reversible component and pulmonary rehabilitation are corner stones of treatment of COPD. The goals of therapy for the clinician should be to improve lung mechanics as well as gas exchange ultimately leading to better sleep quality and health status.     

Effects of tiotropium or combined therapy with salmeterol on hyperinflation in COPD

BACKGROUND: Hyperinflation is widely accepted as an abnormal state affecting clinical symptoms, activities of daily living and exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reducing hyperinflation is an essential theme in COPD treatment. In this study, we let patients with COPD hyperventilate to evoke hyperinflation, and evaluated the effects of tiotropium alone or in combination with salmeterol on hyperventilation-evoked hyperinflation. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with COPD received pulmonary function tests including hyperventilation-evoked hyperinflation testing and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) before treatment, after tiotropium administration for 8 weeks, and after combined therapy with salmeterol for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Before treatment, inspiratory capacity (IC) after hyperventilation decreased significantly in a breathing frequency-dependent manner. After tiotropium administration, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) increased significantly. IC after hyperventilation decreased significantly in a breathing frequency-dependent manner; however, IC was significantly greater than that before treatment (at rest, p=0.001; after hyperventilation at twice the resting respiratory rate, p=0.0009; and after hyperventilation at three times the resting respiratory rate, p<0.0001). The SGRQ score also improved significantly. After combined therapy with salmeterol, FEV1 increased significantly compared with after tiotropium alone. However, there was no significant difference between the IC after tiotropium alone and that after combined therapy, at each stage. However, after combined therapy the SGRQ score significantly improved compared with that after tiotropium alone. CONCLUSIONS: Tiotropium improved airflow obstruction and hyperventilation-evoked hyperinflation. In combination with salmeterol, the improvement in airflow obstruction was greater, but hyperventilation-evoked hyperinflation was not further improved.     

Hardware support of volumetric calibration of impedance pneumogram

Failure to determine volumetric lung ventilation parameters is a limitation of impedance pneumography. The purpose of the study is to develop hardware and software for volumetric calibration of an impedance pneumograph and to assess the errors of methods in the measurement of breathing volume in healthy individuals and in patients with bronchial asthma (BA). A personal computer-based Respicard 1.2 hardware complex is described. The improved calibrating algorithm that ensures a 1.5-fold decrease in errors. The calibration coefficient was 1.41 +/- 0.13 l/ohm in healthy individuals and 1.13 +/- 0.07 l/ohm in patients with bronchial asthma. The relative errors of breathing volume measurement was 6.1 +/- 0.6 and 12.0 +/- 1.0%, respectively (p < 0.01). It has been concluded that it is expedient to use the developed hardware complex for monitoring the respiratory pattern.     

Efficacy of nutritional supplementation therapy in depleted patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE: Weight loss and muscle wasting adversely affect morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Maintenance systemic glucocorticosteroids, prescribed in a substantial number of patients, further contribute to muscle weakness. We investigated the efficacy of oral nutritional supplementation therapy in depleted patients with COPD. METHODS: The therapy consisted of daily two to three oral liquid nutritional supplements (mean +/- standard deviation: 2812 +/- 523 kJ/24 h) incorporated into an 8-wk inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program in 64 (49 men) depleted patients with COPD. Endpoints were body weight, fat-free mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis, respiratory and peripheral muscle function (maximal inspiratory mouth pressure and handgrip strength, respectively), exercise performance (incremental bicycle ergometry), and disease-specific health status by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Forty-eight percent of the patients were treated with low-dose oral glucocorticosteroids as maintenance medication (dose equivalent to 7.6 +/- 2.5 mg of methylprednisolone per day). RESULTS: Increases in body weight (2.1 +/- 2.1 kg, P < 0.001) and fat-free mass (1.1 +/- 2.0 kg, P < 0.001) were seen. Further, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (4 +/- 10 cm of H(2)O, P = 0.001), handgrip strength (1.2 +/- 3.1 kg, P = 0.004), and peak workload (7 +/- 11 W, P = 0.001) significantly improved. Clinically significant improvements in the items symptoms (9 +/- 16 points, P < 0.001) and impact (4 +/- 15 points, P = 0.043) of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire were achieved. Oral glucocorticosteroid treatment significantly impaired the response to nutritional supplementation therapy with respect to maximal inspiratory mouth pressure, peak workload, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire symptom score. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplementation therapy implemented in a pulmonary rehabilitation program was effective in depleted patients with COPD. However, oral glucocorticosteroid treatment attenuated the anabolic response to nutritional supplementation.     

The role of volume reduction surgery in the therapy of early stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The role of volume reduction surgery in the therapy of early stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Assessment of COPD severity is based on the level of patient's symptoms, the severity of the spirometric abnormality and the presence of complications, such as respiratory failure, and right heart failure. Management of mild to moderate COPD is complex, involves the avoidance of risk factors to prevent disease progression, pharmacotherapy as needed to control symptoms, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. The bases of pharmacotherapy are bronchodilators, which represent the first line symptom based pharmacologic intervention in COPD. Surgical treatment of emphysema was basically designed to improve subjective dyspnoea, respiratory function and quality of life in severely disabled patients. Three surgical options are currently employed, namely bullectomy, lung volume surgery and lung transplantation. During volume reduction surgery the hyperinflated areas are resected, so the functional residual volume is getting reduced, the respiratory muscle function is increased; the quality of life is improved. The authors are report a young early stage COPD patient who underwent a volume reduction surgery because of decline in physical condition, improving her disability. In conclusion in properly selected patients, lung volume surgery can offer prolonged functional benefit and satisfactory long term survival, even in early stage. The invasive options has a risk of both mortality and morbidity, they are directed only at patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical treatment.     

药剂联合呼吸机改善尘肺阻塞性肺疾病肺功能

目的观察内科常规治疗基础上加用沙美特罗氟替卡松吸入型药剂联合双水平气道正压通气（Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure,BiPAP）呼吸机改善尘肺慢性阻塞性肺疾病（chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD）肺功能的疗效。方法选择2009/2012广西工人医院住院治疗尘肺COPD患者,分为试验组和对照组各20例,2组均给予内科常规治疗,在此基础上,试验组加用沙美特罗替卡松吸入剂联合无创BiPAP呼吸机进行正压通气治疗。8周后比较试验组和对照组病例肺功能各项指标的改变,以评价该治疗方法的效果。治疗前后肺功能检查指标为：一秒钟用力呼气容积（FEV1）、一秒钟用力呼气容积与用力肺活量之比（FEV1/FVC）、一秒钟用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV1%）。结果同组患者肺功能各指标治疗后比治疗前均有所改善,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。治疗后试验组FEV1、FEV1/FVC、FEV1%较对照组均明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论沙美特罗替卡松吸入剂联合BiPAP呼吸机治疗尘肺COPD疗效优于单纯常规内科治疗,明显改善患者临床症状及肺功能。     

无创正压通气治疗老年人COPD合并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的临床观察

目的研究无创正压通气治疗老年人慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）合并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的治疗效果。方法选择96例COPD合并呼吸衰竭的老年患者,应用鼻罩行辅助通气治疗2h,对比治疗前后动脉血气分析,并观察神志、发绀、血压和心率等的变化。结果使用呼吸机2h后血氧分压、血氧饱和度明硅增高,与联机前比较差异有品著统计学意义（P〈0．01）,血二氧化碳分压明显降低（P〈0．01）;发绀减退或消退,呼吸频率、心率减慢,气促减轻,但血压无明硅变化。结论鼻罩BiPAP呼吸机辅助通气对COPD合并呼吸衰竭有肯定疗效。     

呼吸衰竭并发多脏器功能障碍的临床特点分析

目的通过呼吸衰竭并发多脏器功能障碍的临床特点分析,探讨防治该病的方法。方法回顾分析了９６例慢性阻塞性肺疾患（ＣＯＰＤ）所致呼吸衰竭并发多脏器功能障碍的患者。结果≤３个,４或５个,≥６个器官功能障碍患者的死亡率分别为２３％,５６％,８８％（Ｐ＜０．０１）。≤３个,４或５个,≥６个器官功能障碍患者的动脉血ｐＨ分别为７．３６５±０．０９４,７．３０９±０．０８２,７．２８７±０．０５７（Ｐ＜０．０１）。≤３个,４或５个,≥６个器官功能障碍患者的ＰａＯ２分别为５２．９３±１６．１８,３７．４３±９．３４,２７．１９±７．１４ｍｍＨｇ（Ｐ＜０．００１）。所有的患者均有感染。结论多脏器功能障碍是ＣＯＰＤ所致呼吸哀竭的主要死亡原因之一,而感染、酸血症和低氧血症是导致ＣＯＰＤ所致呼吸衰竭并发多脏器功能障碍的主要危险因素。     

Nutritional depletion and its relationship to respiratory impairment in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to COPD or restrictive thoracic diseases

OBJECTIVE: While malnutrition, especially fat-free mass index (FFMI), is a predictor for mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), less information on prevalence and mechanisms is available in patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) due to restrictive thoracic diseases (RTD). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study of patients consecutively admitted to an in-patient primary pulmonary centre. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirty-two patients (30% RTD; 70% COPD) with CRF and intermittent non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Malnutrition was quantified by bioelectrical impedance analysis or body mass index (BMI), and its relationship to laboratory, lung function, inspiratory muscle and blood gas parameters and 6-min walking distance (6-MWD) was assessed. RESULTS: Malnutrition in terms of BMI<20 kg/m(2) occurred in 16.1% of patients with COPD but none of those with RTD. FFMI<17.4 (<15.0 in female patients) kg/m(2) was found in 35.4 and 30.7%, respectively. FFMI was correlated with airway obstruction (sR(aw), r = -0.50; FEV(1)/VC, r = -0.28; P< or = 0.01 each) and lung hyperinflation (intrathoracic gas volume, r = -0.41; total lung capacity (TLC), r = -0.50; P< or = 0.001 each) in COPD, and with lung restriction in RTD (TLC, r=0.40; P=0.011). Furthermore, malnourished patients showed a higher inspiratory load (P (0.1)) and reduced 6-MWD in both groups. In COPD, only hyperinflation and P (0.1) were independently related to FFMI. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition as indicated by low FFMI was similarly prevalent in patients with CRF and COPD or RTD, but inadequately represented by BMI. The correlations between lung function impairments specific for the disease and FFMI emphasized the link between malnutrition and respiratory mechanical load irrespective of its aetiology.