Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease with multiple systemic effects. Among them, weight loss and muscular wasting are responsible for low exercise capacity ^(1). Body composition is therefore important in the assessment of COPD patients, as well as exercise capacity and muscular strength.

Methods: The study was carried out at Pariyaram medical college hospital, Kannur, Kerala. 50 stable male COPD patients (cases), referred to Department of Pulmonary Medicine, outpatient clinic, for pulmonary rehabilitation, and 50 healthy male volunteers (controls), who were age matched, were studied.

Results: The mean weight, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, calf circumference and hip circumference of the case group were found to be significantly lower than the control group. The waist circumference was also lower in the case group, whereas, the waist hip ratio was found to be higher than the control group.

Conclusion: Rehabilitation in COPD patients should be directed at maintaining a positive protein and energy balance by dietary counselling, supplementing essential amino acids, PUFAs, anabolic steroids along with exercise training.

Keywords: Body Composition, Copd, Fat Free Mass, Body Mass Index.

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Dr Ramesan .K

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Pariyaram Medical College

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