Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 501 S. Buena Vista, Burbank, CA 91505, USA.
Malnutrition in patients with COPD is associated with an impaired pulmonary status, reduced diaphragmatic mass, lower exercise capacity, and higher mortality rate when compared with adequately nourished individuals with COPD. Deterioration in patients with COPD may be the result of malnutrition. In addition, malnutrition could be a sign of other factors directly altered by the disease.