Table 1. Studies reporting a link between body mass index (BMI) or body composition and mortality
First author [ref.]StudySubjects nFollow-upSeverityMortality
Schols [92]Single-centre retrospective cohort41248 monthsMean FEV1 39%FFMI predicts mortality independently of BMI, fat mass, age and sex
Landbo [93]CCHS prospective cohort213217 yearsMean FEV1 64–66%Low BMI (<20 kg·m−2) versus normal BMI (20–25) Male: RR 1.64 (95% CI 1.2–2.23) Female: RR 1.42
Chailleux [94]ANTADIR retrospective cohort40887.5 years (average)FEV1 630–860 mL LTOTLow BMI is a risk factor for mortality, independently of age, FEV1, PaO2 and sex
Soler-Cataluna [95]Single-centre prospective cohort963 yearsMean FEV1 44%Anthropometric measurement of muscle depletion ≤25th percentile associated with higher mortality after 12 months (12% versus 5.9%), 24 months (31% versus 7.9%) and 36 months (39.2% versus 13%)
Vestbo [91]CCHS prospective cohort18987 yearsGOLD 0–IVPercentage of malnourished subjects is higher in females than males Low BMI increases risk of overall mortality (HR 1.8) and COPD-related mortality (HR 3.2)

  • CCHS: Copenhagen City Heart Study; ANTADIR: Observatory of Association Nationale pour le Traitement a Domicile de l'Insuffisance Respiratoire Chronique; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; LTOT: long-term oxygen therapy; GOLD: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; FFMI: fat-free mass index; RR: relative risk; PaO2: arterial oxygen tension; HR: hazard ratio; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.