Implementation of a Sarcopenia Clinic to Diagnose and Treat Skeletal Muscle Loss Due to COPD

The goal is to use evidence-based strategies to diagnose and treat sarcopenia due to COPD. The investigators anticipate that the approach will improve clinical outcomes for COPD patients with sarcopenia as compared to standard of care visits in ambulatory COPD clinics. The investigators will determine if the approach improves skeletal muscle mass and function, and also improves clinical outcomes related to frequency of hospitalizations, COPD exacerbations, or mortality. The approach is different than standard of care COPD treatment because it is informed by quantifying muscle mass and strength (through handgrip strength and bio-impedance) and have strong collaborations with nutrition and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Standard COPD care treatment in an ambulatory post-hospital follow up clinic