Characterizing phenotypic biomarkers of physical frailty, sarcopenia and intrinsic capacity as predictors of outcomes in chronic respiratory disease. (360G-Wellcome-323671_Z_24_Z)

Chronic respiratory disease is associated with premature physical decline and aging with greater risk in those living with disadvantage and in the female population. Increased vulnerability to stressors in the physiological state of fragility, accelerated loss of muscle mass and function in sarcopenia and the decline in physical ability in reduced intrinsic capacity demonstrate the overlap of these areas of health. Sarcopenia has demonstrated a higher prevalence and appears to increase as severity of COPD progresses and is associated with poorer outcomes. However, the impact of sarcopenia on clinically important outcomes in COPD and its clinical impact remains unclear. A number of techniques have been used for body composition analysis (BCA) but there are limitations of the techniques including variation in measures between manufacturers, operator variation, cost, time and availability. Automated AI generated BCA has facilitated the use of MRI and CT imaging with CT BCA gaining greater prominence in COPD populations. Research relating to BCA on medical imaging has predominantly focussed on analysis of the lumbar levels which may not be available for COPD patients and the need for further research in the predictive value of BC in COPD populations is recognised as an area requiring further research.