Abstract: Objective To explore the predictive effects of dietary inflammatory index (DII) on the onset of sarcopenia in the elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 212 patients with COPD were enrolled from the Department of Geriatrics of Tongling People’s Hospital from January to December 2023. The dietary pattern and DII score were evaluated by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ). After a follow-up of 12 months, the muscle mass, grip strength, and gait speed were examined. The association of DII score with the onset of sarcopenia was further investigated. Results The average age of the enrolled patients was 75.18±5.91 years. The DII score was 0.98±2.22. The incidence rate of sarcopenia was 26.89%. When compared to those without sarcopenia, patients with sarcopenia were older, and had lower levels of body mass index and higher proportion of malnutrition, as well as higher levels of DII score at baseline (P<0.05). Further multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the association of high DII score with increased risk of sarcopenia remained significant even after adjustment for confounding factors (adjusted HR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.12-1.60, P=0.001). Conclusions High DII score is associated with increased risk of sarcopenia in elderly patients with COPD. Dietary interventions with low DII score may have beneficial effect on the prevention of sarcopenia in the elderly patients with COPD.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aged, dietary inflammatory index, sarcopenia