Chest CT illuminates mortality risk in people with COPD.

[2greys]

Body composition information derived from routine chest CTs can provide important information on the overall health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including their risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study published in Radiology.

COPD is a group of chronic, progressive lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis that affect about 30 million people in the United States alone. It is frequently associated with obesity and sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass and strength. Obesity is associated with lower mortality in patients with COPD. The longer survival rates of obese patients compared to leaner counterparts, a phenomenon known as the "obesity paradox," has been suggested in several chronic illnesses.

Chest CT is often used to characterize COPD, screen for lung cancer, or plan for surgical options. Beyond lung assessment, these exams offer an opportunity to assess obesity and sarcopenia through soft-tissue biomarkers.

sciencecodex.com/chest-ct-i...

Radiological Society of North America. Study Paper:

pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/r...

[Annie31]

Typical, I spent all my life being really healthy being on the lean, slim side and now when I need some body mass to keep me alive, it's working against me! Oh dear nevermind! 🙄

[Hidden]

I'm doomed! I've only ever come anywhere close to a "healthy" BMI when I was pregnant.

[Fircone in reply to Hidden]

Me too! I only weigh just over 6 stone now 🙁

[Annie31 in reply to Hidden]

Me too! The heaviest I weighed when I was pregnant with the third child was 8st 10lbs at nine months!

[2greys in reply to Hidden]

Me too, all my adult life spent at 8st 3lbs @ 5ft 8in, it took me over a year to get up to 10st 8lb a few years ago. I can loose weight easily and have to eat until I feel stuffed making it harder to breath. Of course, I have never been pregnant 😜