Anthropometric status of individuals with COPD in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, over time - analysis of a population-based study.

Objective: To evaluate the anthropometric data obtained for residents of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a study of Latin America conducted in two phases (baseline, in 2003, and follow-up, in 2012). Methods: This was an analysis of data obtained for Sao Paulo residents in a two-phase population-based study evaluating the prevalence of COPD and its relationship with certain risk factors among individuals >= 40 years of age. The anthropometric data included values for weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. In the follow-up phase of that study, the same variables were evaluated in the same population sample as that of the baseline phase. Results: Of the 1,000 Sao Paulo residents enrolled in the baseline phase of that study, 587 participated in the follow-up phase, and 80 (13.6%) of those 587 subjects had COPD. Comparing the baseline and follow-up phases, we found increases in all anthropometric measures in both groups (COPD and non-COPD), although the differences were significant only in the non-COPD group. The subjects with mild COPD showed increases in weight and BMI (Delta weight = 1.6 +/- 5.7 and Delta BMI = 0.7 +/- 2.2), whereas those with moderate or severe COPD showed reductions (Delta weight = -1.7 +/- 8.1 and Delta BMI = -0.4 +/- 3.0), as did those with severe or very severe COPD (Delta weight = -0.5 +/- 5.4 and Delta BMI = -0.8 +/- 3.3). Conclusions: Between the two phases of the study, the subjects with mild COPD showed increases in weight and BMI, whereas those with a more severe form of the disease showed reductions.