ABSTRACT
During the last decade, impaired skeletal muscle function has been identified as an
independent contributor to both morbidity and mortality in COPD. We showed that
patients with recurrent hospitalizations and high medical consumption were char-
acterized by muscle weakness rather than impaired pulmonary function (1). In
addition, exacerbations may have devastating effects on skeletal muscle function in
patients with COPD. This chapter will deal with both these aspects.
