Vitamin and mineral status in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: Eating problems are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and intake of micronutrients might be lower than recommended. Objective: To study dietary intake, serum and urinary concentration of trace elements and vitamins in elderly underweight patients with established severe COPD. Methods: Outpatients at a university clinic for lung medicine, with COPD, 70-85 years old, with no other serious disease, and with a body mass index (BMI) of similar to 20 kg/m(2) and an FEV1 of < 50 % predicted were recruited. Body composition and bone density were evaluated with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intake was studied by a trained dietitian using diet-history interview. Blood and urine samples were analysed for various vitamins and trace elements. Results: Seventeen of 30 recruited patients took part. Osteoporosis or osteopaenia was found in 16 patients. Dietary intake of energy and macronutrients was in line with recommendations for healthy individuals. Intake of protein did not meet recommendations for COPD patients. Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower than recommended and intake of saturated fatty acids was higher than recommended. Mean intake of vitamin D and folic acid was far below recommendations. Serum concentrations for folic acid and methylmalonate and plasma concentrations for homocysteine were below normal in several patients. Conclusion: Intake of vitamin D and calcium is often low in older COPD patients, which might contribute to osteoporosis. Low intake of folic acid might also be a problem. The results support prophylaxis with calcium, vitamin D and folic acid.