Weight loss associated with low-energy diets with different glycaemic loads does not improve arterial stiffness: a randomised clinical trial.

We evaluated the effects of two low-energy diets with different glycaemic loads on arterial stiffness in adults with excess weight. This was a 45-day parallel-group, randomised clinical trial including seventy-five participants (20-59 years; BMI 32 kg/m2). They were assigned to two similar low-energy diets (reduction of ∼750 kcal.d-1) with macronutrient composition (55 % carbohydrates, 20 % proteins and 25 % lipids) but different glycaemic loads: high-glycaemic load (HGL 171 g.d-1; n 36) or low-glycaemic load (LGL 67 g.d-1; n 39). We evaluated: arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV); augmentation index (AIx@75); reflection coefficient; fasting blood glucose; fasting lipid profile; blood pressure and body composition. We found no improvements in PWV (P = 0·690) and AIx@75 (P = 0·083) in both diet groups, but there was a decrease in the reflection coefficient in the LGL group (P = 0·003) compared with baseline. The LGL diet group showed reductions in body weight (Δ -4·9 kg; P = 0·001), BMI (Δ -1·6 kg/m2; P = 0·001), waist circumference (Δ -3·1 cm; P = 0·001), body fat (Δ -1·8 %; P = 0·034), as well as TAG (Δ -14·7 mg/dl; P = 0·016) and VLDL (Δ -2·8 mg/dl; P = 0·020). The HGL diet group showed a reduction in total cholesterol (Δ -14·6 mg/dl; P = 0·001), LDL (Δ -9·3 mg/dl; P = 0·029) but a reduction in HDL (Δ -3·7 mg/dl; P = 0·002). In conclusion, a 45-day intervention with low-energy HGL or LGL diets in adults with excess weight was not effective to improve arterial stiffness. However, the LGL diet intervention was associated with a reduction of reflection coefficient and improvements in body composition, TAG and VLDL levels.

Low glycaemic index and glycaemic load diets in adults with excess weight: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effects of low and high glycaemic index/glycaemic load (GI/GL) diets on body weight in adults with excess weight. METHODS: We searched for randomised controlled trials comparing low GI/GL vs. high GI/GL diets from Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Scopus and Web of Science. The variables of interest were anthropometric measurements, fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels and lipid profile, and 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The sample size ranged from 19 to 203 participants. Low GI/GL is not superior to high GI/GL diets on body weight reduction in adults with excess weight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg m-2 ). However, low GI/GL diets show greater body weight reductions in adults with BMI ≥ 30 kg m-2 (-0.93 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.73 to -0.12; p = 0.045). Compared with high GI/GL diets, low GI/GL diets may also help reduce fasting glucose (-1.97 mg dl-1 ; 95% CI = -3.76 to 0.19; p = 0.030) and fasting insulin (-0.55 µU ml-1 ; 95% CI = -0.95 to -0.15; p = 0.007). No differences in fat mass, fat-free mass, waist circumference and lipid profile were observed between low GI/GL and high GI/GL diets. The risk of bias for body weight was classified as 'low risk' (25% of the studies) and 'some concerns' for all domains of RoB 2 tool in most studies. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with high GI/GL diets, low GI/GL diets appear to more effectively reduce fasting glucose and insulin and promote greater body weight reduction in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg m-2 ).

Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Hypertension: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in hypertensive women and compare sexual dysfunction between hypertensive and non-hypertensive women. RECENT FINDINGS: Conducted a systematic review in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, IBECS, and Lilacs. We included articles evaluating the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in a woman and/or comparing sexual dysfunction between hypertensive and non-hypertensive women. Studies were excluded if they evaluated patients with secondary hypertension, examined sexual dysfunction caused by drugs, did not distinguish by gender, or included patients with hypertension and other comorbidities/pathologies. We conducted an I2 test to calculate heterogeneity and a meta-analysis to compare sexual dysfunction between hypertensive and non-hypertensive women. A meta-regression equation calculated the relationship between sexual dysfunction risk for hypertensive and age. Eleven articles were included: five were included in the meta-analysis (1057 hypertensive and 715 normotensive). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in articles varied from 14.1 to 90.1%. In the meta-analysis of the sexual dysfunction, the relative risk between hypertensive and normotensive women was found to be significant and has a high heterogeneity (I2 =92.6%, p < 0.001); the pooled results revealed a significant risk ratio of 1.81 (95% CI 1.10-2.97, p < 0.05). The relative risk for hypertensive women showed an association with age (b = 0.0333, p < 0.0001). The studies analyzed presented significant limitations in relation to methodology and a small sample size. Consequently, the meta-analysis was highly heterogeneous and reinforced the need for further research in this area.

Knowledge about the Disease and the Practice of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease. / Conhecimento sobre a Doença e a Prática de Atividade Física em Crianças e Adolescentes com Cardiopatia Congênita.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the disease itself can be important for self-care in patients with several problems and comprehends information about the diagnosis up to the most important clinical implications. OBJECTIVE: To identify the level of knowledge of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) about their illness, and to analyze the association between the level of knowledge and the practice of physical activity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 335 patients with CHD, aged 8 to 13 years, followed at a referral pediatric cardiology service in Southern Brazil. Patients were interviewed regarding their knowledge about CHD and a review of medical records was performed to obtain details on heart disease and procedures. A significance level p<0.05 was used. RESULTS: More than 50% of the children and adolescents did not know how to say the name of their disease or explain it. After adjusted OR (AOR), cyanotic patients in comparison to acyanotic ones (AOR: 2.29; 95%CI: 1.76-6.71; p = 0.019); children with lower level of schooling (AOR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.81-5.86; p = 0.025); and those who did not practice physical activity (AOR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.09-3.45; p = 0.011) showed potential for incorrect answers or did not know their disease. CONCLUSION: Cyanotic children and adolescents, with a lower level of schooling and who did not practice physical activity, had little knowledge about their disease. It is necessary to develop educational intervention strategies to increase knowledge and change behavior in physical activity promotion, according to the CHD complexity. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(5):786-792).

FUNDAMENTO: O conhecimento sobre a própria doença pode ser importante para o autocuidado em pacientes com vários problemas e abrange a informação sobre o diagnóstico até as implicações clínicas mais importantes. OBJETIVO: Identificar o nível de conhecimento de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita (CC) sobre a sua doença, e analisar a relação entre o nível de conhecimento e a prática de atividade física. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 335 pacientes com CC, de 8 a 13 anos, acompanhados em um serviço de cardiologia pediátrica de referência no Sul do Brasil. Os pacientes foram entrevistados em relação ao seu conhecimento sobre a CC e foi realizada revisão dos prontuários para obtenção de detalhes sobre a cardiopatia e os procedimentos. Foi utilizado o nível de significância p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Mais de 50% das crianças e adolescentes não sabiam referir o nome de sua doença ou explicá-la. Após OR ajustado (ORaj), mostraram potencial para respostas incorretas ou não saber sua doença os pacientes cianóticos em relação aos acianóticos (ORaj: 2,29; IC95%: 1,76-6,71; p=0,019); crianças com menor nível de escolaridade (ORaj: 2,20; IC95%: 1,81-5,86; p=0,025); e não praticantes de atividade física (ORaj: 1,88; IC95%: 1,09-3,45; p=0,011). CONCLUSÃO: As crianças e adolescentes cianóticos, com menor nível de escolaridade e que não praticavam de atividade física apresentaram pouco conhecimento sobre a sua doença. Há necessidade do desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenções educativas para aumento do conhecimento e mudança comportamental na promoção da atividade física, de acordo com a complexidade da CC. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(5):786-792).

Effects of high-intensity interval training on endothelial function, lipid profile, body composition and physical fitness in normal-weight and overweight-obese adolescents: A clinical trial.

Endothelium-aggressive factors are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Exercise training can either prevent or attenuate this process, but little is known about the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in adolescents. Thus, we assessed the effects of HIIT on endothelial function, lipid profile, body composition and physical fitness in normal-weight and overweight-obese adolescents. Thirty-eight participants aged 14-17 years who were physically inactive (IPAq) were divided in two groups: normal weight (NW, n = 13) and overweight-obese (OW, n = 25). Body composition, lipid profile, physical fitness and endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation, FMD) were assessed before and after undergoing the study protocol consisting of 12-week HIIT (∼15 min) + sport activities (30 min, 3×/week) + no diet. The differences were tested by GEE, Bonferroni post-hoc, p < 0.05. There were no changes in body composition after training period, but the OW group showed a reduction in waist (4.8 cm; p = 0.044) and abdominal circumference (3.7 cm; p = 0.049). We found improved physical fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, explosive strength, abdominal muscle endurance and flexibility) in both groups. Lower endothelial function was found in the OW compared to NW (p = 0.042) at baseline. FMD increased (p < 0.001) in both groups from baseline (NW Δ4.1%; Cohen's effect size 0.64; OW Δ4.5%; Cohen's effect size 0.73) with no significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, a HIIT program even without any dietary changes can improve physical fitness and endothelial function among adolescents. These findings are clinically relevant because they support a reduction in endothelial damage that precedes the development of atherosclerosis.

Conhecimento sobre a Doença e a Prática de Atividade Física em Crianças e Adolescentes com Cardiopatia Congênita / Knowledge about the Disease and the Practice of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease

Resumo Fundamento O conhecimento sobre a própria doença pode ser importante para o autocuidado em pacientes com vários problemas e abrange a informação sobre o diagnóstico até as implicações clínicas mais importantes. Objetivo Identificar o nível de conhecimento de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita (CC) sobre a sua doença, e analisar a relação entre o nível de conhecimento e a prática de atividade física. Métodos Estudo transversal com 335 pacientes com CC, de 8 a 13 anos, acompanhados em um serviço de cardiologia pediátrica de referência no Sul do Brasil. Os pacientes foram entrevistados em relação ao seu conhecimento sobre a CC e foi realizada revisão dos prontuários para obtenção de detalhes sobre a cardiopatia e os procedimentos. Foi utilizado o nível de significância p < 0,05. Resultados Mais de 50% das crianças e adolescentes não sabiam referir o nome de sua doença ou explicá-la. Após OR ajustado (ORaj), mostraram potencial para respostas incorretas ou não saber sua doença os pacientes cianóticos em relação aos acianóticos (ORaj: 2,29; IC95%: 1,76-6,71; p=0,019); crianças com menor nível de escolaridade (ORaj: 2,20; IC95%: 1,81-5,86; p=0,025); e não praticantes de atividade física (ORaj: 1,88; IC95%: 1,09-3,45; p=0,011). Conclusão As crianças e adolescentes cianóticos, com menor nível de escolaridade e que não praticavam de atividade física apresentaram pouco conhecimento sobre a sua doença. Há necessidade do desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenções educativas para aumento do conhecimento e mudança comportamental na promoção da atividade física, de acordo com a complexidade da CC. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(5):786-792)

Abstract Background Knowledge about the disease itself can be important for self-care in patients with several problems and comprehends information about the diagnosis up to the most important clinical implications. Objective To identify the level of knowledge of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) about their illness, and to analyze the association between the level of knowledge and the practice of physical activity. Methods Cross-sectional study with 335 patients with CHD, aged 8 to 13 years, followed at a referral pediatric cardiology service in Southern Brazil. Patients were interviewed regarding their knowledge about CHD and a review of medical records was performed to obtain details on heart disease and procedures. A significance level p<0.05 was used. Results More than 50% of the children and adolescents did not know how to say the name of their disease or explain it. After adjusted OR (AOR), cyanotic patients in comparison to acyanotic ones (AOR: 2.29; 95%CI: 1.76-6.71; p = 0.019); children with lower level of schooling (AOR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.81-5.86; p = 0.025); and those who did not practice physical activity (AOR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.09-3.45; p = 0.011) showed potential for incorrect answers or did not know their disease. Conclusion Cyanotic children and adolescents, with a lower level of schooling and who did not practice physical activity, had little knowledge about their disease. It is necessary to develop educational intervention strategies to increase knowledge and change behavior in physical activity promotion, according to the CHD complexity. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(5):786-792)