• François Maltais, Marc Decramer, Richard Casaburi, Esther Barreiro, Yan Burelle, Richard Debigaré, P N Richard Dekhuijzen, Frits Franssen, Ghislaine Gayan-Ramirez, Joaquim Gea, Harry R Gosker, Rik Gosselink, Maurice Hayot, Sabah N A Hussain, Wim Janssens, Micheal I Polkey, Josep Roca, Didier Saey, Annemie M W J Schols, Martijn A Spruit, Michael Steiner, Tanja Taivassalo, Thierry Troosters, Ioannis Vogiatzis, Peter D Wagner, and ATS/ERS Ad Hoc Committee on Limb Muscle Dysfunction in COPD.
• Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2014 May 1; 189 (9): e15e62e15-62.

BackgroundLimb muscle dysfunction is prevalent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it has important clinical implications, such as reduced exercise tolerance, quality of life, and even survival. Since the previous American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) statement on limb muscle dysfunction, important progress has been made on the characterization of this problem and on our understanding of its pathophysiology and clinical implications.PurposeThe purpose of this document is to update the 1999 ATS/ERS statement on limb muscle dysfunction in COPD.MethodsAn interdisciplinary committee of experts from the ATS and ERS Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Clinical Problems assemblies determined that the scope of this document should be limited to limb muscles. Committee members conducted focused reviews of the literature on several topics. A librarian also performed a literature search. An ATS methodologist provided advice to the committee, ensuring that the methodological approach was consistent with ATS standards.ResultsWe identified important advances in our understanding of the extent and nature of the structural alterations in limb muscles in patients with COPD. Since the last update, landmark studies were published on the mechanisms of development of limb muscle dysfunction in COPD and on the treatment of this condition. We now have a better understanding of the clinical implications of limb muscle dysfunction. Although exercise training is the most potent intervention to address this condition, other therapies, such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, are emerging. Assessment of limb muscle function can identify patients who are at increased risk of poor clinical outcomes, such as exercise intolerance and premature mortality.ConclusionsLimb muscle dysfunction is a key systemic consequence of COPD. However, there are still important gaps in our knowledge about the mechanisms of development of this problem. Strategies for early detection and specific treatments for this condition are also needed.

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