Is phase angle associated with visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in cardiology outpatients?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Phase angle (PhA) serves as a prognostic marker in various clinical scenarios, reflecting oxidative stress and cellular damage. Despite its clinical relevance, its connection with adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers remains underexplored. Hence, our study sought to investigate the relationship between PhA and metabolic, adiposity, and cardiovascular risk parameters among outpatients with cardiology diagnosis. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults aged between 26 and 59 years, under the care of a cardiology unit, were included. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) [50 kHz] was employed to calculate PhA, from BIA's resistance and reactance measurements. Muscle strength, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio were also evaluated. Framingham's risk score was calculated to estimate the cardiovascular risk events. Metabolic blood samples' results were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: One hundred and five participants were included in our study. Low PhA was observed in 29.5% of our sample. Higher PhA values were independently and inversely associated with both higher VAT and cardiovascular risk (adjusted OR: 0.79 [95% CI 0.69;0.91], OR: 0.74 [95% CI 0.60;0.89], respectively). Lower PhA values (≤5.59) were goodly associated with high VAT (AUC: 0.82 p < 0.001). Lower PhA values (≤5.06) were fairly associated with higher cardiovascular risk (AUC: 0.70 p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that PhA is independently and inversely associated with elevated VAT and cardiovascular risk. These findings underscore the potential of PhA as a valuable complementary marker in assessing cardiometabolic health.

Prognostic value of the geriatric nutritional risk index and other hematological markers on long-term survival in the geriatric population.

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of hematological markers has not been extensively explored in the geriatric population, particularly in the presence of the frailty phenotype among hospitalized individuals. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the influence of the frailty phenotype in hospitalized geriatric individuals on hematological markers and their impact on short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. This study involved hospitalized individuals who were followed during their hospitalization and for nearly 2 years after discharge. At baseline, Fried's frailty phenotype was assessed, as well as hematological markers, including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-monocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, systemic inflammation index, prognostic nutritional index, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and C-reactive protein-albumin ratio. The phase angle derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis was likewise considered a prognostic biomarker. Our main outcomes were hospital length of stay and mortality during follow-up. RESULTS: Frailty occurred in 43.2% of the population. Individuals with the frailty phenotype exhibited worse hematological markers and lower phase angle values. Low GNRI and elevated C-reactive protein-albumin ratio values were independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio = 6.88, 95% confidence interval 2.0-23.6; hazard ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-4.4). Only higher values of the systemic inflammation index were independently associated with prolonged hospital stays. CONCLUSION: Hematological markers may serve as a feasible tool for prognostic assessment. Individuals with the frailty phenotype and low GNRI represented a worst-case scenario. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 312-318.

Avaliação do risco de sarcopenia em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 / Assessment of the risk of sarcopenia in individuals with type 2 diabetes

Introdução: Diabéticos podem apresentar perda de força e massa muscular de forma acentuada. Assim, as triagens SARC-F e SARC-CALF são úteis na investigação do risco de sarcopenia. Objetivo: Associar o risco de sarcopenia em pacientes diabéticos com as variáveis sociodemográficas, econômicas, clínicas, antropométricas e de estilo de vida. Método: Estudo do tipo série de casos realizado com adultos diabéticos tipo 2, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 20 e 59 anos. A avaliação do risco de sarcopenia se deu pela aplicação dos questionários SARC-F e SARC-CALF. Para caracterização da amostra e associação com o risco de sarcopenia, foram coletados dados sociodemográficos e econômicos, medidas antropométricas, condições clínicas e estilo de vida. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 69 pacientes, com média de idade de 53±7,5 anos e maior proporção de mulheres (63,8%; IC95%: 50,7-75,4). A frequência do risco positivo para sarcopenia segundo o SARC-F e o SARC-CALF foi de 43,48% e 46,38%, respectivamente. O SARC-F não mostrou associação significativa com as variáveis estudadas; já o SARC-CALF associou-se com índice de massa corporal (p <0,001), circunferência da cintura (p <0,001) e hábito de fumar (p = 0,027). Conclusão: O risco de sarcopenia foi observado em aproximadamente metade dos pacientes avaliados. O instrumento SARC-CALF apresentou associação com as variáveis antropométricas e o hábito de fumar, podendo ser considerado satisfatório para avaliar o risco de sarcopenia e intervir de forma precoce e efetiva.

Introduction: Individuals with diabetes often experience an accentuated loss of muscle mass and strength. Thus, the SARC-F and SARC-CALF screening tools are useful for the investigation of the risk of sarcopenia. Objective: Associate the risk of sarcopenia with sociodemographic, economic, clinical, anthropometric and lifestyle variables in individuals with diabetes. Methods: A case-series study was conducted involving male and female adults with type 2 diabetes between 20 and 59 years of age. The assessment of the risk of diabetes was performed using the SARC-F and SARC-CALF instruments. Data were collected on sociodemographic-economic variables, anthropometric measures, clinical conditions and lifestyle for the characterization of the sample and to test associations with the risk of sarcopenia. Results: The sample was composed of 69 patients, with a mean age of 53 ± 7.5 years and a predominance of women (63.8%; 95%CI: 50.7-75.4). The prevalence of risk of sarcopenia was 43.48% and 46.38% based on the SARC-F and SARC-CALF, respectively. Using the SARC-F, no significant associations were found with the variables of interest. Using the SARC-CALF, however, the risk of sarcopenia was associated with body mass index (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001) and smoking habit (p = 0.027). Conclusion: Approximately half of the individuals analyzed were at risk of sarcopenia. The SARC-CALF questionnaire was associated with anthropometric variables and the smoking habit and can be considered adequate for the assessment of the risk of sarcopenia, enabling early, effective interventions.

Frailty but not low muscle quality nor sarcopenia is independently associated with mortality among previously hospitalized older adults: A prospective study.

AIM: There are few studies comparing the effects of geriatric syndromes and abnormalities in nutritional status and body composition on outcomes among older individuals who have been previously hospitalized. Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency and diagnosis of geriatric syndromes, low muscle quality, and nutritional status in hospitalized older individuals, and to examine their impact on both short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective study involving older adults (≥60 years). We assessed nutritional status, muscle quality, sarcopenia, and frailty. The outcomes were functional dependence, length of hospital stay, transfer to the Intensive Care Unit, number of readmissions, and mortality. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: Even after adjustment for age and sex, increased risk of death was associated with possible undernourishment, sarcopenia, low muscle quality, and frailty (P < 0.05), but not the length of hospital stay (P > 0.05). Our multivariate analysis showed that frailty was independently associated with mortality and functional dependence. Low muscle quality was independently associated with functional dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric syndromes, abnormalities in body composition, and the overall nutritional status of older patients are important risk factors for adverse outcomes, including functional dependence and mortality. These findings emphasize the need for interventions to improve muscle quality, prevent and treat malnutrition and sarcopenia, and address frailty in hospitalized patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 736-743.

Wasting syndrome and associated factors in hospitalized older people.

Wasting syndrome (WS) is characterized by clinically important unintentional weight loss >5 % in six to 12 months. This syndrome is responsible for a significant portion of hospitalizations throughout the world and is an important indicator of serious diseases, especially in individuals with 60 years of age or older. The aim of the present study was to investigate WS and associated factors in hospitalized older people. An observational cross-sectional study was developed at a university hospital in Brazil with male and female patients ≥60 years of age. WS was considered in the occurrence of unintentional weight loss of 10 % in 12 months, 7.5 % in six months or >5 % in three months. Data were collected on sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, nutritional and biochemical characteristics. This study received approval from the local institutional review board and all participants signed a statement of informed consent. The sample was composed of 178 older people with a mean age of 70.0 ± 8.0 years. The prevalence of WS was 45.5 %. WS was associated with the following clinical variables: conservative CKD (p = 0.007), dysphagia (p = 0.035), dementia (p = 0.017), anorexia (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.001), functional dependence (measured using the Barthel Index) (p = 0.001) and medications that cause malabsorption (p = 0.020); the following nutritional variables: body mass index (p < 0.001), low calf circumference (p < 0.001), low muscle strength (p = 0.001), low muscle mass (p < 0.001) and undernourishment or risk of malnutrition (evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment); and the following biochemical variables: high CRP (p = 0.027), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.005) and anemia (p < 0.001). The prevalence of WS was high among the hospitalized older people in the present sample and was associated with clinical and biochemical aspects as well as all nutritional variables analyzed. In contrast, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics were not associated with wasting syndrome.

Asociación del ángulo de fase con parámetros de evaluación del estado nutricional en pacientes en hemodiálisis / Association of the phase angle with nutritional status assessment parameters in hemodialysis patients

RESUMEN La desnutrición energético-proteica es altamente prevalente en pacientes en tratamiento con diálisis, siendo un importante marcador de riesgo para morbimortalidad. Entre los diversos parámetros disponibles para evaluación de la condición nutricional, la medida del Ángulo de Fase (AF) se ha señalado como marcador útil para evaluar a pacientes en hemodiálisis (HD). Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación del AF con parámetros de evaluación del estado nutricional en pacientes en HD. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal entre febrero y julio de 2016 en dos unidades de hemodiálisis, de Recife, Nordeste brasileño. Resultados: Se evaluó a 101 pacientes, con edades de 51,7±16,8 años e IMC de 24,3±4,5 kg/m². El promedio del AF fue 5,6±1,7° y se correlacionó inversamente con la edad (r= −0,222; p= 0,024) y con el % grasa (r= −0,219; p= 0,026) y directamente con la altura (r= 0,286; p= 0,003), con el índice de masa muscular esquelética (r= 0,269; p= 0,006), con la fuerza de agarre palmar (r= 0,627;p <0,001), velocidad de marcha (r= 0,263; p= 0,008), masa libre de grasa (r= 0,303; p= 0,002) y creatininemia (r= 0,278; p= 0,004). Conclusiones: El AF presentó asociación con algunos parámetros de evaluación nutricional, que puede ser una medida útil adicional para reflejar la condición nutricional y evaluar la sarcopenia en pacientes en HD.

ABSTRACT Energy-protein malnutrition is highly prevalent in dialysis patients, being an important marker of risk for morbidity and mortality. Among the various parameters available for assessing nutritional status, the phase angle (PA) measurement has been indicated as a useful marker for evaluating patients on hemodialysis (HD). Objective: To evaluate the association of PA with parameters of nutritional status in patients on HD. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, observational study from February to July, 2016, in two hemodialysis units, in the city of Recife, Northeastern Brazil. Results: A total of 101 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 51.7±16.8 years and mean BMI of 24.3±4.5kg/m². The mean PA was 5.6±1.7°. PA was inversely correlated with age (r= −0.222; p= 0.024), fat% (r= −0.219; p= 0.026) and positively with height (r= 0.267; p= 0.003), velocity speed (r= 0.267; p= 0.003), skeletal muscle mass index (r= 0.269; p= 0.006), fat free mass (r= 0.303; p= 0.002) and serum creatinine (r= 0.278; p= 0.004). Conclusions: PA was associated with some parameters of nutritional status. Thus, it may be an additional useful measure to reflect nutritional status and to evaluate sarcopenia in patients on HD.

Central adiposity among elderly women in a gerontology-geriatric unit / Adiposidade central em idosas de uma unidade geronto-geriátrica

Abstract Objective: To evaluate central adiposity in elderly women in a gerontology-geriatric care unit of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (the Federal University of Pernambuco). Method: A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 182 elderly women, aged from 60 to 89 years, who received care from January to July 2011, was performed. The variables analyzed were the socio-economic and demographic conditions, lifestyle, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) of the women, as well as the occurrence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and high total cholesterol levels. Yates' chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were applied. A significance rate of 5% was adopted for the rejection of the null hypothesis. Results: Of the elderly women surveyed 82.4% had a WC signifying a large waist size, 57.2% were over-weight, 78.3% presented hypercholesterolemia, 63.2% had hypertension and 23.6% had diabetes. 61.5% were aged between 60 and 69 years old; 56% received up to two minimum salaries; 63.5% had less than eight years of schooling, 74.7% stated that they did not smoke, 87.9% did not drink alcohol; and 51.4 had sedentary habits. An association was observed between BMI and central adiposity (CA) (p=0.000). CA tended to be present around 1.2 times more frequently in elderly women with excess weight than among those who were not overweight. Conclusion: The high frequency of central adiposity and overweight indicates the susceptibility of this population to these factors. While no association with cardiovascular risk factors was observed, there is a clear need for monitoring by a multidisciplinary team, so as to identify and treat this debilitating condition, thereby contributing to the quality of life of this population. AU

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a adiposidade central em idosas assistidas em uma unidade geronto-geriátrica da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Método: O estudo teve delineamento transversal envolvendo uma amostra de 182 idosas com faixa etária entre 60 a 89 anos, atendidas no período janeiro-julho de 2011. As variáveis analisadas foram: circunferência abdominal (CA), índice de massa corporal, estilo de vida, presença de Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS), diabetes mellitus, colesterol total, condições socioeconômicas e demográficas. Aplicou-se o teste qui-quadrado e o teste exato de Fisher. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5% para rejeição da hipótese de nulidade. Resultado: Das idosas avaliadas, 82,4% indicaram CA muito elevada, 57,2% apresentavam excesso de peso, 78,3% encontravam-se com hipercolesterolemia, 63,2% com HAS e 23,6% eram diabéticas, 61,5% encontravam-se entre 60 a 69 anos, 56% recebiam até 2 salários mínimos, 63,5% estudaram menos de 8 anos, 74,7% relataram não ser tabagista, 87,9% eram abstêmios e 51,4% sedentárias. Observou-se associação entre o Índice de Massa Corporal e AC (p=0,000). A AC tende apresentar cerca de 1,2 vezes no excesso de peso quando comparados com idosos sem AC. Conclusão: A elevada frequência de adiposidade central e o excesso de peso apontam a suscetibilidade dessa população, ainda que nenhuma associação com os fatores de risco cardiovascular tenha sido observada, impõe-se a necessidade de acompanhamento por equipe multidisciplinar para a identificação e tratamento desse agravo, contribuindo para a qualidade de vida dessa população. AU