Previous studies suggested body composition may be related to COPD progression( Reference Vilaro, Ramirez-Sarmiento and Martinez-Llorens 1 ) however no definitive studies link lean markers (muscle mass or function) to exacerbation frequency( Reference Donaldson, Maddocks and Martolini 2 ). We aimed to investigate this relationship.
An initial cohort of 36 stable COPD subjects (GOLD 2–4) from the AERIS( Reference Bourne, Cohet and Kim 3 ) study was analysed. Fat free mass (FFM) was assessed by bioelectrical impedance and function with grip strength (GS), grip endurance (GE) and six minute walk test (6MWT). FFM, impedance at 50kHz (Imp50) and GS were adjusted for height and presented as indexes (i). Frequency of exacerbations was prospectively recorded for 12 months and adjusted for length of follow up. A rate of >0·17 exacerbation/month (i.e. ⩾2 exacerbations/year) indicated frequent exacerbators. Schols lean depletion cutoffs (FFMi <16 male, <15 female kg/m2) were applied.
75% (27) subjects were defined as frequent exacerbators: 53% moderate, 88% severe and 100% very severe COPD subjects. COPD severity and exacerbation rates were similar between genders (0·3 exacerbations/month).
Women had significantly lower weight, FFM, FFMi, GS and GSi but higher Imp50 and Imp50i than men (all p < 0·05). In women alone, FEV1% was significantly related to FFMi (r = 0·52) and to 6MWT (r = 0·61). FFMi, GS, GSi and GE were significantly related to 6MWT (r = 0·49; 0·81; 0·72; 0·49 respectively).
There were no statistical significant differences for FFM, FFMi, GE, GS, GSi, Imp50, Imp50i, or 6MWT between the frequent and nonfrequent exacerbator groups for either men or women. For men, there could be a trend towards frequent exacerbators for low 6MWT and high IMP50 values. Using Schols criteria 36% of subjects (2 male, 11 female) were lean deplete, and the exacerbation rates were similar in the 2 subgroups.
Our preliminary results do not provide evidence that FFMi, Imp50, GS or 6MWT are associated with a higher frequency of exacerbation, however Imp50 and 6MWT in men may have predictive value. Lack of statistical significance may be due to the small sample size and high proportion of frequent exacerbators. Further analysis of the full AERIS cohort may yield more information on the predictive value of lean markers on exacerbation frequency and treatment response.