Nutritional Factors Affecting the Mortality in Patients with Chronic Lung Disease

Abstract Objectives Malnutrition is frequently observed in patients with chronic lung disease, having important clinical outcome. Several factors have been identified in its development, such as age, disease severity, muscle dysfunction, reduced physical activity and dietary intake. This retrospective observational study investigated the nutritional factors that affect the mortality in patients with chronic lung disease. Methods The subjects of this study were hospitalized patients, consulted to dietetics and nutrition services team with history of treatment for lung diseases within the last three months. We collected data, anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, dietary intake, nutritional status, blood samples, 90-day readmission and survival using an electrical medical record(EMR). Nutritional status was assessed using Consensus of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 21. Results Total subjects were 76 patients (44 males, 32 females) and their mean age was 63.4, mean BMI 19.96 kg/m2, mean energy and protein intake 1395 kcal/day, 56.8 g/day, respectively. Only twenty-eight % of the patients was adequate nutrition status, thirty-four % died by the date of observation. Energy and protein intake of non-survivors were significantly lower than that of survivors (21.95 ± 7.43 kcal/kg vs. 30.37 ± 9.46 kcal/kg; P < 0.001, 0.90 ± 0.33 g vs. 1.22 ± 0.38 g; P = 0.001, respectively). But there was no significant difference in body weight, BMI, TSF, MAMC, HGS, nutritional status. In Cox proportional hazard model multivariate analysis, 90-day readmission was a variable that increased mortality (HR 3.760, 95% CI 1.594–8.867; P = 0.0025). On the other hand, energy intake ≥25 kcal/kg (HR 0.299, 95% CI 0.129–0.694; P = 0.005) and protein intake ≥0.8 g/kg (HR 0.179, 95% CI 0.073–0.436; P < 0.001) has been shown to be a variable that decreases mortality. Conclusions In patients with chronic lung disease, low energy and protein intake can have a negative impact on mortality, so adequate energy and protein intake in these patients are very important. Funding Sources No funding.