Main clinical characteristics and functional variables of all the study subjects.

Values are expressed as mean (standard deviation).Abbreviations: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; N, number of patients; m, meters; BMI, body mass index; FFMI, fat-free mass index; kg, kilograms; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second; pred, predicted; FVC, forced vital capacity; RV, residual volume; TLC, total lung capacity; DLco, carbon monoxide transfer; KCO, Krough transfer factor; PaO2, arterial oxygen partial pressure; PaCO2, arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure; VO2 peak, peak exercise oxygen uptake; WR peak, peak work rate; QMVC, quadriceps maximal velocity contraction; g, grams; dL, deciliter; mg, miligrams.; CRP, C-reactive protein; GSV, globular sedimentation velocity; mm, millimeters; h, hour.Statistical significance:*, p≤0.05,**, p≤0.01,***, p≤0.001 between mild COPD patients and control subjects.