COPD: Introduction (2008)
Guideline Overview
Guideline Title
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2008) Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline
Guideline Narrative Overview
The focus of this guideline is on medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
For the purposes of this guideline, the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Task Force definition (2005) of COPD is utilized:
Diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient who has the following:
- symptoms of cough
- sputum production or
- dyspnea or
- history of exposure to risk factors for the disease.
The diagnosis requires spirometry; post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7 confirms the presence of airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.
The primary goals of MNT for people with COPD are to achieve and maintain weight and improve quality of life.
Guideline Development
- The provision of MNT for people with COPD
- Energy needs
- Quality of life
- Medical food supplements
- Bone density
- Use of supplemental oxygen
The recommendations are based on the work performed by the American Dietetic Association COPD expert working group. The number of supporting documents for these topics is below:
- Recommendations: Twenty-two (22)
- Conclusion Statements: Ten (10)
- Evidence Summaries: Ten (10)
- Article Worksheets: Seventy-nine (79) .
Application of the Guideline
This guideline will be accompanied by a set of companion documents (i.e., a toolkit) to assist the practitioner in applying the guideline. The toolkit will contain materials such as the Medical Nutrition Therapy protocol, documentation forms, outcomes management tools, client education resources and case studies. The toolkit is currently under development and will undergo pilot-testing through the ADA's Dietetic Practice-Based Research Network prior to publication.
Revision
The literature search will be repeated for each guideline topic on an annual basis to identify new research that has been published since the previous search was completed. Based on the quantity and quality of new research, a determination will be made about whether the new information could change the published recommendation or rating.
When the analysis is completed, the expert workgroup will approve and re-grade the conclusion statements and recommendations. The guideline will undergo a complete revision every three to five years.
Medical Nutrition Therapy and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Medical nutrition therapy and dietitian intervention
- Energy needs
- Quality of life
- Medical food supplements
- Bone density
- Use of supplemental oxygen
This guideline applies to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Other Guideline Overview Material
For more details on the guideline components, use the links in the left navigation bar:
- Scope of Guideline
- Statement of Intent
- Guideline Methods
- Implementation of the Guideline
- Benefits and Harms of Implementing the Recommendations
Contraindications
Clinical judgment is crucial in the application of these guidelines. Careful consideration should be given to the application of these guidelines for patients with significant medical co-morbidities.