Frode Slinde

Institution/Department: Institute of medicine/­Department of clinical ­nutrition
Previous studies at: University of Oslo and University of Gothenburg
Thesis: Body composition and energy expenditure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Research areas: Clinical nutrition
Current research: I have taken part in the development of simple muscle ­function tests and studied physical training and energy turnover in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD. I have found that ­muscle wasting in COPD is related to poor prognosis and that physical training might lead to improved, less energy-demanding muscle function. Old people also ­suffer from muscle wasting that leads to frailty, poor autonomy and, ­secondarily, fractures. We now validate simple muscle function tests (hand grip strength, heel rise test, voluntary quadriceps muscle strength and 30 m walking test and balance tests) in both groups by relating them to an ­involuntary, magnet stimulated, test of quadriceps force, HRQL, tests of body composition (impedance, DXA) and recordings of physical activity. The relation between food intake, systemic inflammation, muscle mass and function is also ­analysed. Simple, evaluated muscle function tests applied in primary care may be used for early detection of muscle dysfunction in COPD patients and old people so that early intervention against deconditioning can be started. Analyses of food ­intake and of inflammatory markers might identify factors of special ­importance for muscle dysfunction, which eventually might lead to improved dietary therapy and pharmacological interventions.

E-mail address: Frode.slinde@nutrition.gu.se