Nutritional Risk and Diaphragmatic Thickness in Mechanically Ventilated COPD Patients
Nutritional Risk Assessment and Diaphragmatic Thickness for Predicting Outcome in Elderly Mechanically Ventilated COPD Patients
Malnutrition and muscle wasting are frequent complications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiencing acute exacerbations. In critically ill patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation, nutritional depletion and ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction can complicate recovery and prolong intensive care unit (ICU) stays.
The purpose of this prospective observational cohort study is to evaluate nutritional status and diaphragmatic structure in elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) with COPD who require invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours.
Participants will undergo bedside assessments, including:
- Calculation of clinical risk scores within the first 24 hours of ICU admission: modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill (mNUTRIC), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II).
- Anthropometric measurements: mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) measured at baseline, day 7, and the day of weaning.
- Diaphragmatic ultrasonography: point-of-care ultrasound to measure diaphragm thickness at end-expiration and end-inspiration at baseline, day 7, and during weaning trials.
The main goal is to evaluate the relationship between nutritional risk (assessed by the mNUTRIC score) and diaphragmatic thickness, and to determine how these parameters correlate with clinical outcomes such as weaning success, total duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality.
Study Overview
Status
Detailed Description
Malnutrition is a prevalent comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with lower exercise tolerance, decreased pulmonary function, and increased mortality. In the intensive care unit (ICU), acute exacerbations requiring invasive mechanical ventilation frequently lead to accelerated muscle wasting and ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. Combining bedside clinical risk scoring, peripheral anthropometry, and diaphragmatic ultrasonography provides a comprehensive approach to evaluating nutritional and functional reserve.
Eligible patients aged 60 years or older admitted with acute exacerbations of COPD requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours will be prospectively enrolled.
Clinical and Severity Scoring (Day 1): Within the first 24 hours of admission and ventilation initiation, baseline demographic data, arterial blood gases, and severity scores will be recorded. Scores include the modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill (mNUTRIC; range 0-9, where ≥ 5 defines high nutritional risk), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA; range 0-24), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II; range 0-71).
Anthropometric Measurements: Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) will be performed by a single investigator using a non-stretchable measuring tape recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm. Values will be obtained at baseline (within 24 hours), day 7 (or at extubation/discharge if earlier), and on the day of weaning.
Diaphragmatic Ultrasonography: Bedside point-of-care ultrasound using a high-frequency linear probe (7-13 MHz) will evaluate the diaphragm in the zone of apposition at the 8th-9th intercostal space on the right hemithorax. Diaphragm thickness at end-expiration (Tdi,ee) and end-inspiration (Tdi,pi) will be measured in B-mode/M-mode (averaging three consecutive cycles) at baseline, day 7, and during spontaneous breathing trials/weaning attempts.
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
- Adult
- Older Adult
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Sampling Method
Study Population
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients aged ≥ 60 years
- Confirmed diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) according to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria
- Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) or respiratory ICU for acute exacerbation of COPD
- Requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 hours
- Provision of informed consent by the patient or a first-degree relative/legal guardian
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pre-existing neuromuscular disease affecting diaphragmatic or peripheral muscle function (e.g., myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, poliomyelitis, motor neuron disease)
- Known diaphragmatic paralysis or phrenic nerve injury predating admission
- Severe limb edema, amputation, or lower-limb deformity precluding valid anthropometric measurement
- Terminal illness or malignancy with an expected survival of < 48 hours
- Duration of mechanical ventilation < 48 hours, or death/extubation occurring before baseline assessment completion
- Subcutaneous emphysema or thoracic/abdominal wall pathology precluding adequate diaphragmatic ultrasound acoustic windows
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
Cohorts and Interventions
Group / Cohort |
|---|
|
Mechanically Ventilated Elderly COPD Patients
Adult patients aged 60 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD admitted to the ICU/respiratory ICU for acute exacerbation and requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours.
Participants undergo baseline severity scoring (mNUTRIC, SOFA, APACHE II), serial anthropometric assessments (MUAC, calf circumference), and diaphragmatic ultrasonography (diaphragm thickness at end-expiration and end-inspiration) at baseline, day 7, and during spontaneous breathing trials/weaning.
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What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Baseline End-Expiratory Diaphragmatic Thickness
Time Frame: Baseline
|
Diaphragm thickness measured in millimeters (mm) at end-expiration (Tdi,ee) using B-mode/M-mode bedside ultrasonography in the zone of apposition (8th-9th intercostal space between the anterior and mid-axillary lines).
The average of three consecutive measurements will be reported and evaluated in relation to the baseline modified NUTRIC score (scores range from 0 to 9, where scores ≥ 5 indicate high nutritional risk).
|
Baseline
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Estimated)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
- Neurologic Manifestations
- Nervous System Diseases
- Neuromuscular Manifestations
- Pathologic Processes
- Nutrition Disorders
- Pathological Conditions, Anatomical
- Chronic Disease
- Disease Attributes
- Respiratory Tract Diseases
- Lung Diseases
- Respiration Disorders
- Lung Diseases, Obstructive
- Muscular Atrophy
- Atrophy
- Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms
- Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
- Signs and Symptoms
- Malnutrition
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
- Respiratory Insufficiency
- Sarcopenia
Other Study ID Numbers
- Nutrition & Diaphragm in COPD
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