M ini N utritional A ssessment S hort‐ F orm predicts exacerbation frequency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and objective Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) are a major cause of morbidity, mortality and reduced health status. Thus, to predict and prevent exacerbations is essential for the management of COPD . The aims of this study were to determine whether nutritional status as assessed by the M ini N utritional A ssessment S hort‐ F orm ( MNA ‐ SF ) predicts COPD exacerbation and to compare the ability of the MNA ‐ SF to predict COPD exacerbation with that of the COPD A ssessment T est ( CAT ). Methods Pulmonary function, the modified Medical Research Council (m MRC ) scale and body mass index ( BMI ) were evaluated in 60 stable patients with COPD (mean age, 72 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s ( FEV 1 ), 51.1% predicted). The MNA ‐ SF and CAT were also completed. Exacerbations were recorded prospectively for 1 year after the initial assessment. Results The mean MNA ‐ SF score was 11.4 ± 2.4 (well nourished, 51%; at risk, 37%; and malnourished, 12%). The mean CAT score was 14.4 ± 7.5 (low impact, 37%; medium impact, 38%; high impact, 20%; and very high impact, 5%). The CAT scores were significantly associated with the m MRC scale and % FEV 1 , but were not associated with BMI and the MNA ‐ SF score. The exacerbation frequency was associated with the MNA ‐ SF score but not with the CAT score. Conclusions The MNA ‐ SF predicts COPD exacerbation independently of the CAT .