Image-based assessment of sarcopenic obesity predicts mortality in major trauma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obesity are also at risk for sarcopenia, which is difficult to recognize in this population. Our study examines whether sarcopenic-obesity (SO) is independently associated with mortality in trauma. METHODS: Using a retrospective database, we performed logistic regression analysis. . Admission CT scans were used to identify SO by calculating the visceral fat to skeletal muscle ratio >3.2. RESULTS: Of 883 patients, the prevalence of SO was 38% (333). Patients with SO were more likely to be male (79% versus 43%, p < 0.001), older (mean 66.5 years versus 46.3 years, p < 0.001), and less likely to have an injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 24 (43% versus 55%, p = 0.0003). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, SO was independently associated with mortality (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.6-4.8, p < 0.001). Causal mediation analysis found admission hyperglycemia as a mediator for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenic obesity is an independent predictor of mortality in major trauma.

Global, regional and national epidemiology and prevalence of child stunting, wasting and underweight in low- and middle-income countries, 2006-2018.

In 2016, undernutrition, as manifested in childhood stunting, wasting, and underweight were estimated to cause over 1.0 million deaths, 3.9% of years of life lost, and 3.8% of disability-adjusted life years globally. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) using the 2006-2018 cross-sectional nationally representative demographic and health surveys (DHS) data and to explore the sources of regional variations. Anthropometric measurements of children 0-59 months of age from DHS in 62 LMICs worldwide were used. Complete information was available for height-for-age (n = 624,734), weight-for-height (n = 625,230) and weight-for-age (n = 626,130). Random-effects models were fit to estimate the pooled prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Sources of heterogeneity in the prevalence estimates were explored through subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Human development index (a country-specific composite index based on life expectancy, literacy, access to education and per capita gross domestic product) and the United Nations region were explored as potential sources of variation in undernutrition. The overall prevalence was 29.1% (95% CI 26.7%, 31.6%) for stunting, 6.3% (95% CI 4.6%, 8.2%) for wasting, and 13.7% (95% CI 10.9%, 16.9%) for underweight. Subgroup analyses suggested that Western Africa, Southern Asia, and Southeastern Asia had a substantially higher estimated prevalence of undernutrition than global average estimates. In multivariable meta-regression, a combination of human development index and United Nations region (a proxy for geographical variation) explained 54%, 56%, and 66% of the variation in stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that regional, subregional, and country disparities in undernutrition remain, and the residual gaps to close towards achieving the second sustainable development goal-ending undernutrition by 2030.