Association of adiposity, telomere length and mortality: data from the NHANES 1999-2002.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomere shortening is associated with age and risk of medical comorbidity. We assessed the relationship between measures of adiposity, leukocyte telomere length, and mortality and whether it is modified by age. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures were identified using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. Obesity was categorized using two body fat definitions (BF1%: men ⩾25%; females ⩾35%; BF2% ⩾28% and ⩾38%, respectively), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC; men ⩾102 cm; females ⩾88 cm). Telomere length relative to standard reference DNA (T/S ratio) was assessed using quantitative PCR. Weighted multivariable regression models evaluated the association of telomere length with adiposity, both continuously and categorically (low/normal BF%, low/high WC and standard BMI categories). Differences in telomere length by age and adiposity were ascertained and subsequent models were stratified by age. Proportional hazard models assessed the risk of mortality by adiposity status. A telomere by adiposity interaction was tested in the entire cohort and by age category (<60 vs ⩾60 years; <70 vs ⩾70 years). RESULTS: We identified 7827 subjects. Mean age was 46.1 years. Overall telomere length was 1.05±0.01 (s.e.) that differed by BF1% (low/high: 1.12±0.02 vs 1.03±0.02; P<0.001), BF2% (1.02±0.02 vs 1.11±0.02; P<0.001), BMI (underweight 1.08±0.03; normal 1.09±0.02; overweight 1.04±0.02; and obese 1.03±0.02;P<0.001) and WC (low/high 1.09±0.02 vs 1.02±0.02; P<0.001). Adjusted ß-coefficients evaluating the relationship between telomere length and adiposity (measured continuously) were as follows: BF1% (ß=-0.0033±0.0008; P<0.001), BF2% (-0.041±0.008; P<0.001), BMI (ß=-0.025±0.0008; P=0.005) and WC (ß=-0.0011±0.0004; P=0.007). High BF% (BF1%: ß=-0.035±0.011; P=0.002; BF2%: ß=-0.041±0.008; P<0.001) and WC (ß=-0.035±0.011; P=0.008) were inversely related to telomere length (TL). Stratifying by age, high BF1% (-0.061±0.013), BF2% (-0.065±0.01), BMI-obesity (-0.07±0.015) and high WC (-0.048±0.013) were significant (all P<0.001). This association diminished with increasing age. In older participants, TL was inversely related to mortality (hazard ratio 0.36 (0.27, 0.49)), as were those classified by BF1% (0.68 (0.56, 0.81)), BF2% (0.75 (0.65, 0.80)), BMI (0.50 (0.42, 0.60)) and WC (0.72 (0.63, 0.83)). No interaction was observed between adiposity status, telomere length and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with shorter telomere length in young participants, a relationship that diminishes with increasing age. It does not moderate the relationship with mortality.

Diagnostic accuracy of body mass index to identify obesity in older adults: NHANES 1999-2004.

BACKGROUND: Body composition changes with aging lead to increased adiposity and decreased muscle mass, making the diagnosis of obesity challenging. Conventional anthropometry, including body mass index (BMI), while easy to use clinically may misrepresent adiposity. We determined the diagnostic accuracy of BMI using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in assessing the degree of obesity in older adults. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004 were used to identify adults aged ⩾60 years with DEXA measures. They were categorized (yes/no) as having elevated body fat by gender (men: ⩾25%; women ⩾35%) and by BMI ⩾25 and ⩾30 kg m(-)(2). The diagnostic performance of BMI was assessed. Metabolic characteristics were compared in discordant cases of BMI/body fat. Weighting and analyses were performed per NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) guidelines. RESULTS: We identified 4984 subjects (men: 2453; women: 2531). Mean BMI and % body fat was 28.0 kg m(-2) and 30.8% in men, and 28.5 kg m(-)(2) and 42.1% in women. A BMI ⩾30 kg m(-)(2) had a low sensitivity and moderately high specificity (men: 32.9 and 80.8%, concordance index 0.66; women: 38.5 and 78.5%, concordance 0.69) correctly classifying 41.0 and 45.1% of obese subjects. A BMI ⩾25 kg m(-2) had a moderately high sensitivity and specificity (men: 80.7 and 99.6%, concordance 0.81; women: 76.9 and 98.8%, concordance 0.84) correctly classifying 80.8 and 78.5% of obese subjects. In subjects with BMI <30 kg m(-)(2), body fat was considered elevated in 67.1% and 61.5% of men and women, respectively. For a BMI ⩾30 kg m(-)(2), sensitivity drops from 40.3% to 14.5% and 44.5% to 23.4%, whereas specificity remains elevated (>98%), in men and women, respectively, in those 60-69.9 years to subjects aged ⩾80 years. Correct classification of obesity using a cutoff of 30 kg m(-)(2) drops from 48.1 to 23.9% and 49.0 to 19.6%, in men and women in these two age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional measures poorly identify obesity in the elderly. In older adults, BMI may be a suboptimal marker for adiposity.

Impact of obesity on disability, function, and physical activity: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

OBJECTIVES: Older adults with obesity are at risk for osteoarthritis (OA) and are predisposed to functional decline and disability. We examined the association between obesity and disability, physical activity, and quality of life at 6 years. METHOD: Using data from the longitudinal Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), we analysed older adults (age ≥ 60 years) with a body mass index (BMI) at baseline ≥ 18.5 kg/m(2) (n = 2378) using standard BMI categories. Outcomes were assessed at the 6-year follow-up and included: the Late-Life Function and Disability Index (LLDI), the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Linear regression predicted outcomes based on BMI category, adjusting for age, sex, race, education, smoking, cohort status, radiographic knee OA, co-morbidity scores, and baseline scores when available. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 1727 (71.9%) participants (mean age 67.9 ± 5.3 years; 61.6% female). At baseline, obese subjects compared to overweight and normal were on a greater number of medications (4.28 vs. 3.63 vs. 3.32), had lower gait speeds (1.22 vs. 1.32 vs. 1.36 m/s), higher Charlson scores (0.59 vs. 0.37 vs. 0.30), and higher Western Ontario and McMaster University OA Index (WOMAC) scores (right: 14.8 vs. 10.3 vs. 7.5; left: 14.4 vs. 9.9 vs. 7.5). SF-12 scores at 6 years were lower in obese patients than in overweight or normal [99.5 (95% CI 98.7-100.4) vs. 101.1 (95% CI 100.4-101.8) vs. 102.8 (95% CI 101.8-103.8)], as were PASE scores [115.1 (95% CI 110.3-119.8) vs. 126.2 (95% CI 122.2-130.2) vs. 131.4 (95% CI 125.8-137.0)]. The LLDI limitation component demonstrated differences in obese compared to overweight or normal [78.6 (95% CI 77.4-79.9) vs. 81.2 (95% CI 80.2-82.3) vs. 82.5 (95% CI 81.1-84.0)]. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was associated with worse physical activity scores, lower quality of life, and higher risk of 6-year disability.

Changes in Body Composition in Older Adults after a Technology-Based Weight Loss Intervention.

We conducted a post-hoc analysis of a pre/post, single-arm, non-randomized, multicomponent weight loss intervention in older adults. Fifty-three older adults aged ≥65 with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 were recruited to participate in a six-month, remote monitoring and video-conferencing delivered, prescriptive intervention consisting of individual and group-led registered dietitian nutrition and physical therapy sessions. We assessed weight, height, and body composition using a SECA 514 bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Mean age was 72.9±3.9 years (70% female) and all had ≥2 chronic conditions. Of those with complete data (n=30), we observed a 4.6±3.5kg loss in weight, 6.1±14.3kg (1.9%) loss in fat mass, and 0.78±1.69L loss in visceral fat (all p<0.05). Fat-free mass (-3.4kg±6.8, p=0.19), appendicular lean mass (-0.25±1.83, p=0.22), and grip strength (+3.46±7.89, p=0.56) did not significantly change. These variables were preserved after stratifying by 5% weight loss. Our intervention led to significant body and visceral fat loss while maintaining fat-free and appendicular lean muscle mass.

URBAN-RURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PREVALENCE OF MUSCLE WEAKNESS AND SLOW GAIT SPEED: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS FROM THE NHANES (2001-2002 AND 2011-2014).

Background: Older adults living in rural areas suffer from health inequities compared to their urban counterparts. These include comorbidity burden, poor diet, and physical inactivity, which are also risk factors for sarcopenia, for which muscle weakness and slow gait speed are domains. To date, no study has examined urban-rural differences in the prevalence of muscle weakness and slow gait speed in older adults living in the United States. Objective: To compare the prevalence of grip strength weakness and slow gait speed between urban and rural older adults living in the United States. Design: A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of two cohorts from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using gait speed or grip strength data, and urban-rural residency, dietary, examination, questionnaire and demographic data. Participants: 2,923 adults (≥ 60 yrs.). Measures: Grip weakness was defined as either, an absolute grip strength of <35 kg. and <20 kg. or grip strength divided by body mass index (GripBMI) of <1.05 and <0.79 for men and women, respectively. Slow gait speed was defined as a usual gait speed of ≤0.8m/s. Results: The prevalence of GripBMI weakness was significantly higher in urban compared to rural participants (27.4% vs. 19.2%; p=0.001), whereas their absolute grip strength was lower (31.75(±0.45) vs. 33.73(±0.48)). No urban-rural differences in gait speed were observed. Conclusions: Older adults residing in urban regions of the United States were weaker compared to their rural counterparts. This report is the first to describe urban-rural differences in handgrip strength and slow gait speed in older adults living in the United States.

Glycaemic variability using continuous glucose monitoring and endothelial function in the metabolic syndrome and in Type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Subjects who are at increased risk of developing diabetes may have increased glycaemic variability associated with endothelial dysfunction and possibly subclinical atherosclerosis, which may lead to increased cardiovascular risk observed at the time of diabetes diagnosis. To investigate this hypothesis, we measured endothelial function, carotid intima-media thickness and glycaemic variability using 48-h continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring in 3 groups of overweight or obese subjects--those without the metabolic syndrome, and those with the metabolic syndrome with or without newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Consecutive subjects, aged 30-65 years with a body mass index >or= 25 kg/m(2) were recruited. Patients were classified as with or without the metabolic syndrome,or as metabolic syndrome with newly diagnosed Type 2 DM. Glycaemic variability was calculated in terms of the coefficient of variation. Endothelial function was measured using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. RESULTS: We identified 75 subjects. Mean flow mediated dilation decreased (P < 0.001) and carotid intima-media thickness increased (P < 0.05) across groups. Flow mediated dilation predictors included mean 48-h continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring values (beta = -0.022; P < 0.005) and the coefficient of variation (beta = -0.10; P = 0.01). Carotid intima-media thickness predictors included age (beta = 0.009; P < 0.001) and flow mediated dilation (beta = -0.014; P = 0.076). Patients re-stratified according to cut-offs for mean 48-h glycaemia and variability demonstrated that subjects with high mean glycaemia but low coefficient of variability had similar flow mediated dilation and carotid intima-media thickness to subjects with low mean glycaemia but high coefficient of variation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that glycaemic variability influences endothelial function even in non-diabetic subjects. Such variability may explain the increased cardiovascular risk observed in patients prior to developing overt Type 2 diabetes.

Reported Weight Change in Older Adults and Presence of Frailty.

OBJECTIVE: A 5% change in weight is a significant predictor for frailty and obesity. We ascertained how self-reported weight change over the lifespan impacts rates of frailty in older adults. METHODS: We identified 4,984 subjects ≥60 years with body composition measures from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. An adapted version of Fried's frailty criteria was used as the primary outcome. Self-reported weight was assessed at time current,1 and 10 years earlier and at age 25. Weight changes between each time point were categorized as ≥ 5%, ≤5% or neutral. Logistic regression assessed the impact of weight change on the outcome of frailty. RESULTS: Among 4,984 participants, 56.5% were female, mean age was 71.1 years, and mean BMI was 28.2kg/m2. A weight loss of ≥ 5% had a higher association with frailty compared to current weight, age 25 (OR 2.94 [1.72,5.02]), 10 years ago (OR 1.68 [1.05,2.69]), and 1 year ago (OR 1.55 [1.02,2.36]). Weight gain in the last year was associated with increased rate of frailty (1.59 [1.09,2.32]). CONCLUSION: There is an association between frailty and reported weight loss over time while only weight gain in the last year has an association with frailty.

Association of Obesity and Frailty in Older Adults: NHANES 1999-2004.

OBJECTIVES: Body composition changes with aging can increase rates of obesity, frailty and impact function. Measuring adiposity using body fat (%BF) or central adiposity using waist circumference (WC) have greater diagnostic accuracy than traditional measures such as body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: This is an observational study. SETTING: This study focused on older community-dwelling participants. PARTICIPANTS: We identified individuals age ≥ 60 years old using the 1999-2004 cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES). INTERVENTION: The primary analysis evaluated the association between frailty and %BF or WC. Frailty was the primary predictor (robust=referent) and %BF and WC were considered continuous outcomes. Multiple imputation analyses accounted for missing characteristics. MEASUREMENT: Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess %BF and WC was objectively measured. Frailty was defined using an adapted version of Fried's criteria that was self-reported: (low BMI<18.5kg/m2; slow walking speed [<0.8m/s]; weakness [unable to lift 10lbs]; exhaustion [difficulty walking between rooms on same floor] and low physical activity [compared to others]). Robust, pre-frail and frail persons met zero, 1 or 2, and ≥3 criteria, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 4,984 participants, the mean age was 71.1±0.2 (SE) years and 56.5% were females. We classified 2,246 (50.4%), 2,195 (40.3%), and 541 (9.2%) individuals as robust, pre-frail and frail, respectively. Percent BF was 35.9±0.13, 38.3±0.20 and 40.0±0.46 in the robust, pre-frail and frail individuals, respectively. WC was 99.5±0.32 in the robust, 100.1±0.43 in pre-frail, 104.7±1.17 in frail individuals. Compared to robust individuals, only frail individuals had greater %BF on average (ß=0.97±0.43,p=0.03); however, pre-frail and frail individuals had 2.18 and 4.80 greater WC, respectively (ß=2.18±0.64,p=0.002, and ß=4.80±1.1,p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that in older adults, frailty and pre-frailty are associated with a greater likelihood of high WC (as dichotomized) and a greater average WC (continuous).

Development and Usability Assessment of a Connected Resistance Exercise Band Application for Strength-Monitoring.

Resistance exercise bands are a core component of any physical activity strengthening program. Strength training can mitigate the development of sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass or strength and function with aging. Yet, the adherence of such behavioral exercise strategies in a home-based setting are fraught with issues of monitoring and compliance. Our group developed a Bluetooth-enabled resistance exercise band capable of transmitting data to an open-source platform. In this work, we developed an application to capture this information in real-time, and conducted three usability studies in two mixed-aged groups of participants (n=6 each) and a group of older adults with obesity participating in a weight-loss intervention (n=20). The system was favorable, acceptable and provided iterative information that could assist in future deployment on ubiquitous platforms. Our formative work provides the foundation to deliver home-based monitoring interventions in a high-risk, older adult population.

Accuracy of body mass index in diagnosing obesity in the adult general population.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used measure to diagnose obesity. However, the accuracy of BMI in detecting excess body adiposity in the adult general population is largely unknown. METHODS: A cross-sectional design of 13 601 subjects (age 20-79.9 years; 49% men) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate body fat percent (BF%). We assessed the diagnostic performance of BMI using the World Health Organization reference standard for obesity of BF%>25% in men and>35% in women. We tested the correlation between BMI and both BF% and lean mass by sex and age groups adjusted for race. RESULTS: BMI-defined obesity (> or =30 kg m(-2)) was present in 19.1% of men and 24.7% of women, while BF%-defined obesity was present in 43.9% of men and 52.3% of women. A BMI> or =30 had a high specificity (men=95%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 94-96 and women=99%, 95% CI, 98-100), but a poor sensitivity (men=36%, 95% CI, 35-37 and women=49%, 95% CI, 48-50) to detect BF%-defined obesity. The diagnostic performance of BMI diminished as age increased. In men, BMI had a better correlation with lean mass than with BF%, while in women BMI correlated better with BF% than with lean mass. However, in the intermediate range of BMI (25-29.9 kg m(-2)), BMI failed to discriminate between BF% and lean mass in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of BMI in diagnosing obesity is limited, particularly for individuals in the intermediate BMI ranges, in men and in the elderly. A BMI cutoff of> or =30 kg m(-2) has good specificity but misses more than half of people with excess fat. These results may help to explain the unexpected better survival in overweight/mild obese patients.

Depression and Handgrip Strength Among U.S. Adults Aged 60 Years and Older from NHANES 2011-2014.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia is a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging. This muscle deterioration is linked to increased morbidity, disability, and other adverse outcomes. Although reduced handgrip strength can be considered a marker of sarcopenia and other aging-related decline in the elderly, there is limited research on this physical health problem in at-risk groups with common biopsychosocial conditions such as depression. Our primary objective was to ascertain level of combined handgrip strength and its relationship with depression among adults aged 60 years and older. DESIGN: Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were conducted with a cross-sectional survey dataset. SETTING: Secondary dataset from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling, non-institutionalized adults ≥60 years old (n=3,421). MEASUREMENTS: The predictor variables included a positive screen for clinically relevant depression (referent=PHQ-9 score <10). The criterion variable of combined handgrip strength (kg) was determined using a dynamometer. RESULTS: Mean age and BMI were 69.9 years (51.5% female) and 28.8 kg/m2, respectively. Mean combined handgrip strength in the overall cohort was 73.5 and 46.6 kg in males and females, respectively. Three hundred thirty-six (9.8%) reported symptoms of depression. In unadjusted and fully adjusted models, depression was significantly associated with reduced handgrip strength (B = -0.26±0.79 and B = -0.19±0.08, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate handgrip strength has a significant inverse association with depression. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the causal processes and potential moderators and mediators of the relationships between depression and reduced handgrip strength. This information may further encourage the use of depression and handgrip strength assessments and aid in the monitoring and implementation of health care services that address both physical and mental health limitations among older adult populations.

Extra-hepatic hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as obstructive jaundice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a neoplasm with a uniformly poor prognosis. Risk factors for its development include chronic hepatitis B or C infection, haemochromatosis and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, but individuals with any type of chronic liver disease are predisposed. The incidence is significantly higher in Asia and Africa although it has been noted to be increasing in the United States. We present a patient with notable atypical clinical features for hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient had neither predisposing risk factors nor a primary liver lesion causing obstructive jaundice. After multiple tissue specimens were obtained, the final pathological diagnosis was established. Hepatocellular carcinoma generally requires a surgical cure, but patients who are icteric often portend poorer prognoses. For those at high risk, screening may be indicated to identify early curative treatment.

Prevalence of weakness and its relationship with limitations based on the Foundations for the National Institutes for Health project: data from the Health and Retirement Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of muscle weakness using the two 2014 Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project criteria and its relationship with physical limitations, basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling adults from the Health and Retirement Study 2006-2008 and identified a subsample of 5092 adults aged ⩾60 years with grip strength (GS) data. Self-reported physical limitations, basic ADL and instrumental ADL were assessed. Criteria for GS (men<26 kg; women <16 kg) and GS adjusted for body mass index (GS/BMI; men <1.0; women <0.56) were applied to the sample. We determined the prevalence of muscle weakness in each sex. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the association of physical limitations, basic ADL and instrument ADL with weakness definitions in each sex. RESULTS: Mean age was 72.1 years (54.9% female). Mean GS was 38.3 and 22.9 kg and mean BMI was 29 kg/m2, respectively, in men and women. Weakness prevalence using GS and GS:BMI definitions were 7.8 and 15.2 (P<0.001), respectively, in men and 11.4 and 13.3% (P=0.04) in women. Overall prevalence of physical limitations, basic ADL limitations and instrumental ADL limitations was 52.9, 28.1 and 35.9%, respectively. In those with weakness, prevalence of physical limitations, basic ADL and instrumental ADL was 78.5, 42.3 and 65.3%, respectively, using the GS definition, and 79.7, 40.7 and 58.8%, respectively, using the GS/BMI definition. GS and the GS/BMI definitions of weakness were strongly associated with physical limitations (odds ratio (OR) 2.19 (95% confidence interval (CI): (1.67-2.87)) and 2.52 (2.01-3.17)), basic ADL (OR 1.59 (1.22-2.07) and 1.66 (1.32-2.07)) and instrumental ADLs (OR 1.98 (1.28-2.54) and 1.78 (1.44-2.20)). CONCLUSIONS: The new FNIH guidelines for weakness are associated with higher prevalence of physical limitations, basic ADL impairments and instrumental ADL impairments as compared with individuals without weakness.

Anthropometric measurements and survival in older Americans: Results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of adiposity on mortality in older adults remains controversial. Some reports suggest that measures of general adiposity such as body mass index (BMI) predict better survival. We assessed the relationship between measures of adiposity and mortality in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample. SETTING: Non-institutionalized persons in the United States participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys III and its linked mortality dataset. PARTICIPANTS: A subsample of 4,489 non-institutionalized survey participants aged >60 years with measures of body composition using bioimpedance. To account for possible residual confounding, smokers, subjects with heart failure, respiratory disease, kidney disease and cancer were excluded (n=2,920). Data from 1569 subjects were analysed. MEASUREMENTS: BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), lean mass (LM) and % Body Fat (BF) were classified by tertiles (lowest=referent). Proportional-hazard models evaluated the association of anthropometric indices with overall and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 69.4years, and 265(16.9%) were >80 years. There were 717(47.6%) women and 792 deaths of which 284 [35.9%] were cardiovascular related. Elevated BMI was associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.53 [0.30-0.84]), and remained significant after adjusting for LM (HR 0.54 [0.31-0.93]). Elevated %BF was associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular causes (HR 0.52 [0.29-0.91]). Low BMI was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular (HR 3.66 [1.25-10.69]) and overall death (HR 2.44 [1.22-4.90]). CONCLUSION: Measures of adiposity in older participants are associated with lower mortality from cardiovascular causes that cannot be explained by major known confounders between obesity and mortality. Further studies need to elucidate a possible protective role and interplay between adiposity and skeletal muscle in older adults.

Sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity and mortality in older adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and quality, which accelerates with aging and is associated with functional decline. Rising obesity prevalence has led to a high-risk group with both disorders. We assessed mortality risk associated with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in elders. METHODS: A subsample of 4652 subjects ≥60 years of age was identified from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994), a cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized adults. National Death Index data were linked to this data set. Sarcopenia was defined using a bioelectrical impedance formula validated using magnetic resonance imaging-measured skeletal mass by Janssen et al. Cutoffs for total skeletal muscle mass adjusted for height(2) were sex-specific (men: ≤5.75 kg/m(2); females ≤10.75 kg/m(2)). Obesity was based on % body fat (males: ≥27%, females: ≥38%). Modeling assessed mortality adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity (model 1), comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis, cancer, coronary artery disease and arthritis), smoking, physical activity, self-reported health (model 2) and mobility limitations (model 3). RESULTS: Mean age was 70.6±0.2 years and 57.2% were female. Median follow-up was 14.3 years (interquartile range: 12.5-16.1). Overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 35.4% in women and 75.5% in men, which increased with age. Prevalence of obesity was 60.8% in women and 54.4% in men. Sarcopenic obesity prevalence was 18.1% in women and 42.9% in men. There were 2782 (61.7%) deaths, of which 39.0% were cardiovascular. Women with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity had a higher mortality risk than those without sarcopenia or obesity after adjustment (model 2, hazard ratio (HR): 1.35 (1.05-1.74) and 1.29 (1.03-1.60)). After adjusting for mobility limitations (model 3), sarcopenia alone (HR: 1.32 ((1.04-1.69) but not sarcopenia with obesity (HR: 1.25 (0.99-1.58)) was associated with mortality. For men, the risk of death with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was nonsignificant in both model-2 (HR: 0.98 (0.77-1.25), and HR: 0.99 (0.79-1.23)) and model 3 (HR: 0.98 (0.77-1.24) and HR: 0.98 (0.79-1.22)). CONCLUSIONS: Older women with sarcopenia have an increased all-cause mortality risk independent of obesity.

Coffee and endothelial function: a battle between caffeine and antioxidants?

Although coffee is largely consumed by adults in Western countries, controversy exists about its impact on the cardiovascular system. We recently demonstrated that caffeinated and decaffeinated espresso coffee have different acute effects on endothelial function in healthy subjects, measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. In this study, we measured the anti-oxidant capacity of two coffee substances in terms of free stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl 50% inhibition (I(50) DPPH). The caffeinated coffee had a slightly higher anti-oxidant capacity than decaffeinated espresso coffee (I(50) DPPH: 1.13±0.02 vs 1.30±0.03 µl; P<0.001). We suggest that the unfavourable effects observed after caffeinated coffee ingestion are due to caffeine and that the antioxidant activity is responsible for the increased FMD observed after decaffeinated coffee ingestion. Further clinical and epidemiological studies are needed to understand the chronic effects of coffee consumption on health.

Acute effects of coffee on endothelial function in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, but its effect on the cardiovascular system has not been fully understood. Coffee contains caffeine and antioxidants, which may influence endothelial function, both of which have not yet been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the acute effects of coffee on endothelial function measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 20 (10 males and 10 females) healthy non-obese subjects underwent a double-blind, crossover study. Subjects ingested one cup of caffeinated (CC) and one cup of decaffeinated (DC) Italian espresso coffee in random order at 5- to 7-day intervals. RESULTS: Following CC ingestion, FMD decreased progressively and significantly (mean+/-s.e.m.: 0 min, 7.7+/-0.6; 30 min, 6.3+/-0.7; 60 min, 6.0+/-0.8%; ANOVA (analysis of variance), P<0.05), but it did not significantly increase after DC ingestion (0 min, 6.9+/-0.6; 30 min, 8.1+/-0.9; 60 min, 8.5+/-0.9%; P=0.115). Similarly, CC significantly increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure; this effect was not observed after DC ingestion. Blood glucose concentrations remained unchanged after ingestion of both CC and DC, but insulin (0 min, 15.8+/-0.9; 60 min, 15.0+/-0.8 muU/ml; P<0.05) and C-peptide (0 min, 1.25+/-0.09; 60 min, 1.18+/-0.09 ng/ml; P<0.01) blood concentrations decreased significantly only after CC ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: CC acutely induced unfavorable cardiovascular effects, especially on endothelial function. In the fasting state, insulin secretion is also likely reduced after CC ingestion. Future studies will determine whether CC has detrimental clinically relevant effects, especially in unhealthy subjects.

Dose-dependent effects of decaffeinated coffee on endothelial function in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is known to contain antioxidant substances whose effects may be blunted because of caffeine that may unfavorably affect the cardiovascular system. This study was designed to investigate the acute dose-dependent effects of decaffeinated coffee (DC) on endothelial function measured by the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 15 (8 men and 7 women) healthy nonobese subjects underwent a single-blind, crossover study. Subjects ingested one and two cups of decaffeinated Italian espresso coffee in random order at 5- to 7-day intervals. RESULTS: In the hour following the ingestion of two cups of DC, FMD increased (mean+/-s.e.m.): 0 min, 7.4+/-0.7%; 30 min, 8.0+/-0.6%; 60 min, 10.8+/-0.8%; P<0.001) as compared to consumption of one cup of DC (0 min, 6.9+/-0.7%; 30 min, 8.4+/-1.2%; 60 min, 8.5+/-1.1%; 3 x 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance: P=0.037 for time x treatment effect). Blood pressure did not differ between groups, and basal heart rate was lower in the two-cup group at baseline and 60 min. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a significant acute favorable dose-dependent effect of decaffeinated espresso coffee on endothelial function. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of chronic use of DC especially with respect to caffeinated coffee and in subjects with cardiovascular diseases.

Metabolic syndrome: from global epidemiology to individualized medicine.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses a constellation of metabolic abnormalities that are thought to place patients at higher risk for the development of diabetes and cardiovascular (CV) disease. The underlying pathophysiology is still a point of contention among various professional organizations leading to inconsistencies in the manner in which MetS is defined. Each definition has its advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, there is an agreement that insulin resistance and obesity are likely the central contributing factors. Because the prevalence of obesity has been increasing at a frightening rate in the past few decades, MetS represents a major public health problem that should be identified clinically in individual patients. This review describes the changing epidemiology of obesity and of MetS and discusses its importance in CV disease. We outline the existing controversies that surround MetS and discuss the role of lifestyle, pharmacological, surgical, and novel approaches in its management.

Metastatic malignant melanoma presenting with hypercalcaemia and bone marrow involvement.

We report a 75-year-old female patient with a background of malignant melanoma who presented with hypercalcaemia to our institution. She was aggressively treated but declined clinically. Computed tomography head and X-ray studies were suggestive of multiple myeloma, but bone marrow examination was significant for metastatic malignant melanoma. Very few patients with melanoma present with these features, and it further exemplifies the importance of close follow-up and the aggressive nature of this disease process.