COPD Malnutrition Resources

The Managing Malnutrition in COPD materials support the nutritional care of individuals with COPD, especially those at risk of developing or experiencing malnutrition. The pathway and resources are designed for use across community settings, including primary care and care homes. Improvements to nutrition education and nutrition care for respiratory outpatients is an essential element to improving respiratory care.

The Managing Malnutrition in COPD document outlines the following four-step approach and includes a practical care pathway:

1. Identification – Nutrition screening using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)

2. Assessment – Understanding the underlying causes of malnutrition

3. Management – Setting treatment goals and optimising nutritional intake using tailored advice and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) where appropriate

4. Monitoring – Reviewing interventions to ensure adherence and provide continued support

The pathway is supported by three colour-coded patient and carer information leaflets offering clear, accessible guidance aligned to nutritional risk.

Through timely nutritional support, the resource aims to improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare usage, and enhance quality of life for people living with COPD. The materials and additional resources are available to download for free at www.malnutritionpathway.co.uk/copd.

The resources are endorsed by patient and professional associations. In recognition of the robust, evidence-based content, the recently published NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on Adult Malnutrition, based content on the Malnutrition Pathway and includes hyperlinks to Malnutrition Pathway resources.