Determining one’s energy requirement may lead to better treatment opportunities for underweight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to findings published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Prior research has shown that the use of a standard caloric calculation could lead to better weight gain and overall quality of life among those with the breathing disorder. In an effort to improve these people’s energy levels during the day, a team of researchers altered the caloric calculation and treated a total 86 COPD patients with an average age of 64 years.

The researchers discovered that by enhancing the previous method, physicians may be able to determine a more accurate energy requirement for their patients, resulting in more specific caloric count and healthy weight gain.

Frode Slinde, lead author of the research, stated that “a better nutritional status has been linked with patients feeling better and not needing as much care as before, which could cut the cost of care to society in the long run.” He added that “as far as COPD patients are concerned, a better nutritional status translates into better quality of life and a longer life.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 190,000 Americans residing in nursing homes have been diagnosed with COPD.