Risk of increased mortality in underweight survivors: A brief report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 1 in 10 adult survivors of childhood cancer is underweight. Although the consequences of being overweight or obese have been well described, outcomes among childhood cancer survivors who are underweight are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether underweight status increases the risk of mortality. PROCEDURE: Cohort study: Marginal models with generalized estimating equations to evaluate the associations between body mass index (BMI), serious or life-threatening chronic conditions, and death in the setting of long-term follow-up questionnaires and National Death Index search. PARTICIPANTS: Childhood cancer five-year survivors diagnosed during 1970-1986 in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Exposure: Underweight status, defined as body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2 compared with ideal body weight. Based on available literature on body weight and mortality from the general population, ideal body weight was defined as BMI 22.0-24.9 kg/m2. MAIN OUTCOMES: Overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality. RESULTS: Of 9454 survivors (median age 35 years old (range, 17-58), an average of 17.5 years from diagnosis), 627 (6.6%) participants were underweight at baseline or follow-up questionnaire. Of 184 deaths, 29 were among underweight survivors. Underweight status was more common among females (9.1% vs. 4.5%, p < .01) and participants with younger age at diagnosis (8.2% for < 5 years vs. 6.1% for ≥5 years, p < .01), lower household income (8.9% for < $20,000 vs. 6.0% for ≥ $20,000, p < .01), or a history of serious chronic condition (p = .05). After adjustment for these factors, in addition to prior smoking and a history of radiation therapy, the risk of all-cause mortality within two years of BMI report was increased (OR 2.85; 95% CI: 1.63-4.97; p < .01) for underweight survivors, compared with ideal-weight survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood cancer survivors who are underweight are at increased risk for late mortality that appears unrelated to smoking status, recognized chronic disease, or subsequent malignancy. Whether targeted nutritional interventions would ameliorate this risk is unknown.

Physical activity and mortality in patients with dementia: 2009-2015 National Health Insurance Sharing Service data.

The study aimed to investigate the survival rate of patients with dementia according to their level of physical activity and body mass index (BMI). A total of 5,789 patients with dementia were retrieved from the 2009-2015 National Health Insurance Sharing Service databases. Survival analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for physical activity and BMI. The study sample primarily comprised older adults (65-84 years old, 83.81%) and female (n = 3,865, 66.76%). Participants who engaged in physical activity had a lower mortality risk (HR = 0.91, p = 0.02). Compared to the underweight group, patients with dementia who had normal weight (HR = 0.86, p = 0.01), obesity (HR = 0.85, p = 0.03) and more than severe obesity (HR = 0.72, p = 0.02) demonstrated a lower mortality risk. This study emphasizes the significance of avoiding underweight and engaging in physical activity to reducing mortality risk in patients with dementia, highlighting the necessity for effective interventions.

Neonatal anthropometric indicators of infant growth and mortality in Burkina Faso.

OBJECTIVE: Most evidence supporting screening for undernutrition is for children aged 6-59 months. However, the highest risk of mortality and highest incidence of wasting occurs in the first 6 months of life. We evaluated relationships between neonatal anthropometric indicators, including birth weight, weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), weight-for-length Z-score (WLZ), length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and mortality and growth at 6 months of age among infants in Burkina Faso. DESIGN: Data arose from a randomised controlled trial evaluating neonatal azithromycin administration for the prevention of child mortality. We evaluated relationships between baseline anthropometric measures and mortality, wasting (WLZ < -2), stunting (LAZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < -2) at 6 months of age were estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for the child's age and sex. SETTING: Five regions of Burkina Faso. PARTICIPANTS: Infants aged 8-27 d followed until 6 months of age. RESULTS: Of 21 832 infants enrolled in the trial, 7·9 % were low birth weight (<2500 g), 13·3 % were wasted, 7·7 % were stunted and 7·4 % were underweight at enrolment. All anthropometric deficits were associated with mortality by 6 months of age, with WAZ the strongest predictor (WAZ < -2 to ≥ -3 at enrolment v. WAZ ≥ -2: adjusted OR, 3·91, 95 % CI, 2·21, 6·56). Low WAZ was also associated with wasting, stunting, and underweight at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions for identifying infants at highest risk of mortality and growth failure should consider WAZ as part of their screening protocol.

Mortality risk in infants receiving therapeutic care for malnutrition: A secondary analysis.

Small and nutritionally at-risk infants aged under 6 months (<6 months) are at high risk of death, but important evidence gaps exist on how to best identify them. We aimed to determine associations between anthropometric deficits and mortality among infants <6 months admitted to inpatient therapeutic care. A secondary analysis of 2002-2008 data included 5034 infants aged <6 months from 12 countries. We estimated the prevalence, concurrence, and severity of wasted, stunted, and underweight, as stand-alone indicators, and using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF), which combines these indicators into six subgroups of single and multiple anthropometric deficits and into one combined indicator called CIAF. We used logistic regression to examine the association of different anthropometric deficits with in-programme mortality. Among 3692 infants aged <6 months with complete data, 3539 (95.8%) were underweight, 3058 (82.8%) were wasted, 2875 (77.8%) were stunted and 3575 (96.8%) had CIAF. Infants with multiple anthropometric deficits were presented with significantly lower anthropometric indices, that is, they were more severely wasted, stunted and underweight. A total of 141 infants died during inpatient therapeutic care. Among these, severely wasted (116) and severely underweight (138) infants had higher odds of mortality than normal infants (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-2.7, p = 0.009, and OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 0.8-13.6, p = 0.09, respectively). Boys had higher odds of inpatient mortality than girls (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02-1.92, p = 0.03). Mortality was only observed in infants <6 months presenting multiple anthropometric deficits, although their odds of mortality were not significant, for example, OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 0.5-10.0, p = 0.21 for stunted, wasted and underweight infants <6 months. In conclusion, multiple anthropometric deficits (CIAF) is common among infants <6 months and may be reported in nutrition care programmes and surveys. Both weight-for-length/height z-score and weight-for-age z-score were found to be useful indicators for programme admission and in-programme prognosis. Future work needs to explore which better accounts for admission bias. Boys appear to be most at-risk of dying while receiving malnutrition therapeutic care. Programmes should ensure that all infants receive timely, evidence-based, effective care.

Body Mass Index and All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Patients with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The "obesity paradox" in elderly patients suffering from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a source of controversy. The present meta-analysis focused on exploring the real existence of "obesity paradox" in these patients. METHODS: As of November 2022, PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were comprehensively searched to identify articles reporting all-cause mortality according to diverse body mass index (BMI) categories after PCI among the old cases developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Summary estimates of relative risks (RRs) were assigned to four BMI groups, including underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups. RESULTS: There were altogether nine articles involving 25,798 cases selected for further analysis. Relative to normal weight group, overweight and obesity groups had decreased all-cause mortality (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.95 for overweight group; RR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40-0.80 for obesity group), while underweight group had elevated all-cause mortality (RR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.01-2.29). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed an "obesity paradox" relation of BMI with all-cause mortality in elderly cases receiving PCI. In comparison with normal weight group, overweight and obesity groups had decreased all-cause mortality, while underweight group had increased all-cause mortality.

Lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of all-cause mortality: An updated meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cohort studies reported controversial results regarding the long-term prognosis of patients with lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared to non-lean NAFLD patients. This updated meta-analysis aimed to estimate the magnitude of the association between lean body mass index and all-cause mortality risk in NAFLD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to March 2023 to identify observational studies that reported hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality of patients with lean NAFLD versus those with non-lean, overweight, or obese NAFLD. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality were pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: Fourteen studies with 94,181 NAFLD patients (11.3 % with lean NAFLD) and 7,443 fatal events over a median follow-up of 8.4 years (IQR, 6.6-17.4 years) were included. Patients with lean NAFLD had a higher risk of all-cause mortality than those with non-lean NAFLD (random-effects HR 1.61, 95 % CI 1.37-1.89; I2=77 %). The magnitude of this risk remained unchanged even after stratified analysis by measures of NAFLD diagnosis, study country, cohort setting, length of follow-up, adjustment with fibrosis stage/cirrhosis, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The risk was independent of age, sex, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Sensitivity analyses did not alter these findings. The funnel plot and Egger's test revealed no significant publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis revealed that lean NAFLD is associated with an approximately 1.6-fold increased mortality risk. Further studies are needed to unravel the existing but complex link between lean NAFLD and an increased risk of death.

Dietary diversity predicts the mortality among older people: Data from the fifth Thai national health examination survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between dietary diversity (DD) and mortality among Thai older people and to investigate whether age, sex, and nutritional status modify this association. METHODS: The national survey conducted from 2013 to 2015 recruited 5631 people aged >60 years. Dietary diversity score (DDS) was assessed for the consumption of eight food groups using food frequency questionnaires. The Vital Statistics System provided the data on mortality in 2021. The association between DDS and mortality was analyzed by Cox proportional hazard model and adjusted for the complex survey design. Interaction terms between DDS and age, sex, and BMI were also tested. RESULTS: The DDS was inversely associated with mortality (HRadj 0.98, 95%CI: 0.96-1.00). This association was stronger in people aged >70 years (HRadj 0.93, 95%CI: 0.90-0.96 for aged 70-79 years, and HRadj 0.92, 95%CI: 0.88-0.95 for aged >80 years). Inverse association between DDS and mortality was also found in the underweight older population (HRadj 0.95, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99). A positive association was found between DDS and mortality in the overweight/obese group (HRadj 1.03, 95%CI: 1.00-1.05). However, the interaction between the DDS with sex to mortality was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Increasing DD reduces mortality among Thai older people, especially in those above 70, and underweight. In contrast, an increase in DD also meant an increase in mortality among the overweight/obese group. Focus should be placed on the nutritional interventions aimed to improve DD for those 70 and over and underweight to reduce mortality.

Association of body mass index and weight change with pneumonia mortality in a Japanese population: Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests that pneumonia mortality is lower for individuals with high body mass index (BMI) compared to normal BMI, but it remains unclear whether weight change during adulthood influences subsequent mortality due to pneumonia in Asian populations, who have a relatively lean body mass. This study aimed to examine the association of BMI and weight change over 5 years with the subsequent risk of pneumonia mortality in a Japanese population. METHODS: The present analysis included 79,564 Japan Public Health Center (JPHC)-based Prospective Study participants who completed a questionnaire between 1995 and 1998 were followed for death through 2016. BMI was categorized into four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI: ≥30.0 kg/m2). Weight change was defined as the difference of body weight between questionnaire surveys with a 5-year interval. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios of baseline BMI and weight change for pneumonia mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 18.9 y, we identified 994 deaths from pneumonia. Compared with participants with normal weight, an elevated risk was observed among those who were underweight (hazard ratio = 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-2.87), whereas a decreased risk was found among those who were overweight (hazard ratio = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.53-0.75). Regarding weight change, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) of pneumonia mortality for a weight loss of 5 kg or more versus a weight change of less than 2.5 kg was 1.75 (1.46-2.10), whereas that for a weight gain of 5 kg or more was 1.59 (1.27-2.00). CONCLUSION: Underweight and greater weight change was associated with an increase in the risk of pneumonia mortality in Japanese adults.

Caucasian lean subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease share long-term prognosis of non-lean: time for reappraisal of BMI-driven approach?

OBJECTIVE: The full phenotypic expression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in lean subjects is incompletely characterised. We aimed to investigate prevalence, characteristics and long-term prognosis of Caucasian lean subjects with NAFLD. DESIGN: The study cohort comprises 1339 biopsy-proven NAFLD subjects from four countries (Italy, UK, Spain and Australia), stratified into lean and non-lean (body mass index (BMI) 10 483 person-years), 4.7% of lean vs 7.7% of non-lean patients reported liver-related events (p=0.37). No difference in survival was observed compared with non-lean NAFLD (p=0.069). CONCLUSIONS: Caucasian lean subjects with NAFLD may progress to advanced liver disease, develop metabolic comorbidities and experience cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as liver-related mortality, independent of longitudinal progression to obesity and PNPLA3 genotype. These patients represent one end of a wide spectrum of phenotypic expression of NAFLD where the disease manifests at lower overall BMI thresholds. LAY SUMMARY: NAFLD may affect and progress in both obese and lean individuals. Lean subjects are predominantly males, have a younger age at diagnosis and are more prevalent in some geographic areas. During the follow-up, lean subjects can develop hepatic and extrahepatic disease, including metabolic comorbidities, in the absence of weight gain. These patients represent one end of a wide spectrum of phenotypic expression of NAFLD.

Time-varying association between body mass index and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the time-varying association between BMI in patients with hypertension and all-cause mortality. METHODS: This population-based cohort study included 212,394 Chinese adults with hypertension from 2007 to 2015 and was followed up until death, loss-to-follow-up, or December 31, 2018. According to the World Health Organization criteria for Asians, BMI was categorized into five groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23-24.9 kg/m2), class I obesity (25-29.9 kg/m2) and class II obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Cox model was used to estimate the time-varying association of BMI on the risk of mortality by including the interaction term between BMI and time using restricted cubic spline. RESULTS: Compared with normal weight, underweight and class II obesity were associated with higher mortality (Hazard ratio [HRs] at 1 and 10 years of follow-up: 1.51 [95% CI: 1.39-1.65], and 1.27 (1.15-1.41) for underweight, respectively; 1.08 (0.96-1.21), and 1.16 (1.03-1.30) for class II obesity, respectively). However, overweight and class I obesity were associated with lower mortality, although the protective effects gradually attenuated over time (HRs at 1 and 10 years of follow-up: 0.85 (0.81-0.90), and 0.96 (0.91-1.02) for overweight, respectively; 0.80 (0.76-0.84), and 1.04 (0.99-1.10) for class I obesity, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found increased mortality among hypertensive patients with underweight and class II obesity while decreased mortality with overweight and class I obesity was observed during the first 5 years of follow-up. Management efforts for hypertension may target controlling body weight in a reasonable range for patients, and probably more attention should be given to underweight patients.

Body Mass Index, Weight Loss, and Mortality Risk in Advanced-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Focus on EGFR Mutation.

Body mass index (BMI) influences the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including both early-stage and late-stage NSCLC patients that are undergoing chemotherapies. However, earlier research on the relationship between BMI and survival in patients taking epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) yielded contradictory results. These publications either had a limited number of patients or were getting TKIs in various lines of therapy, which might explain why the outcomes were contradictory. As a result, we undertook retrospective study to examine the effect of BMI on survival outcomes in patients with advanced EGFR mutant NSCLC receiving first-line EGFR-TKIs. We also compared the findings to those with wild-type EGFR. Between November 2010 and March 2014, 513 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in the study. According to the adjusted BMI cut-off point for Asia, 35 out of 513 (6.8%) patients were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), whereas 197 (38.4%) were overweight (BMI > 24 kg/m2). Overweight patients with wild-type EGFR exhibited longer progression-free survival (4.6 vs. 2.1 months, p = 0.003) and overall survival (OS) (8.9 vs. 4.3 months, p = 0.003) than underweight patients. Overweight patients with EGFR mutations had a longer OS than normal-weight patients (23.0 vs. 20.2 months, p = 0.025). Bodyweight reduction was related to a shorter OS in both the mutant EGFR patients (17.1 vs. 30.5 months, p < 0.001) and the wild-type EGFR patients (7.8 vs. 18.7 months, p < 0.001). In conclusion, advanced stages NSCLC patients with a lower BMI and early weight loss had a worse outcome that was independent of EGFR mutation status.

The effect of BMI on COVID-19 outcomes among older patients in South Korea: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused deaths and shortages in medical resources worldwide, making the prediction of patient prognosis and the identification of risk factors very important. Increasing age is already known as one of the main risk factors for poor outcomes, but the effect of body mass index (BMI) on COVID-19 outcomes in older patients has not yet been investigated. Aim: We aimed to determine the effect of BMI on the severity and mortality of COVID-19 among older patients in South Korea. Methods: Data from 1272 COVID-19 patients (≥60 years old) were collected by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The odds ratios (ORs) of severe infection and death in the BMI groups were analyzed by logistic regression adjusted for covariates.Results: The underweight group (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) had a higher OR for death (adjusted OR = 2.23, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.06-4.52) than the normal weight group (BMI, 18.5-22.9 kg/m2). Overweight (BMI, 23.0-24.9 kg/m2) was associated with lower risks of both severe infection (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31-0.94) and death (adjusted OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27-0.91). Conclusions: Underweight was associated with an increased risk of death, and overweight was related to lower risks of severe infection and death in older COVID-19 patients in Korea. However, this study was limited by the lack of availability of some information, including smoking status.KEY MESSAGESUnderweight is an independent risk factor of death in older COVID-19 patients.Overweight patients have a lower risk of death and severe infection than normal-weight patients.

Synergistic Impact of Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function on All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function are independent predictors of mortality risk. However, little is known about the combined impact of BMI and cognitive function on the risk of all-cause mortality in older adults. In this study, we aimed to examine the associations between BMI, cognitive function, and all-cause mortality, including between-factor interactions, in the general population of older adults in China. Methods: We used the data between 2011 and 2018 from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey that included adults aged ≥65 years residing in the 23 provinces of China. The association between BMI and cognitive function on all-cause mortality was examined with the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: The study included 8,293 Chinese older adults. Low BMI (underweight) and cognitive impairment were associated with the highest risk of death after adjustments [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.96-2.41]; this combined effect was more prominent among adults aged <100 years and women. In addition, there was an interaction effect of BMI and cognitive impairment on all-cause mortality (P <0.001). Concurrently, among older adults with normal cognition, the risk of mortality related to underweight was higher than among their cognitively impaired counterparts [55% (normal cognition) vs. 38% (cognitive impairment)]. Conclusions: Low BMI (underweight) and cognitive impairment were independently and jointly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality among Chinese older adults, and females showed a stronger effect in this association. The association between BMI and mortality was more pronounced in the participants with normal cognition than in their cognitively impaired counterparts.

Associations between low body mass index and mortality in patients with sepsis: A retrospective analysis of a cohort study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of body mass in populations of Western countries differs from that of populations of East Asian countries. In East Asian countries, fewer people have a high body mass index than those in Western countries. In Japan, the country with the highest number of older adults worldwide, many people have a low body mass index. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between a low body mass index and mortality in patients with sepsis in Japan. METHODS: We conducted this retrospective analysis of 548 patients with severe sepsis from a multicenter prospective observational study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses determined the association between body mass index and 28-day mortality adjusted for age, sex, pre-existing conditions, the occurrence of septic shock, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores. Furthermore, the association between a low body mass index and 28-day mortality was analyzed. RESULTS: The low body mass index group represented 18.8% of the study population (103/548); the normal body mass index group, 57.3% (314/548); and the high body mass index group, 23.9% (131/548), with the 28-day mortality rates being 21.4% (22/103), 11.2% (35/314), and 14.5% (19/131), respectively. In the low body mass index group, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for 28-day mortality relative to the non-low body mass index (normal and high body mass index groups combined) group were 2.0 (1.1-3.4) and 2.3 (1.2-4.2), respectively. CONCLUSION: A low body mass index was found to be associated with a higher 28-day mortality than the non-low body mass index in patients with sepsis in Japan. Given that older adults often have a low body mass index, these patients should be monitored closely to reduce the occurrence of negative outcomes.

The obesity paradox: Underweight patients are at the greatest risk of mortality after cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Elevated body mass index is a risk factor for gallstone disease and cholecystectomy, but outcomes for low body mass index patients remain uncharacterized. We examined the association of body mass index with morbidity, mortality, and resource use after cholecystectomy. METHODS: The 2005 to 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was retrospectively analyzed for adult patients undergoing laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Patients were stratified into 5 groups: body mass index <18.5 (underweight), body mass index 18.5 to 24.9 (normal weight), body mass index 25 to 29.9 (overweight), body mass index 30 to 34.9 (class I obesity), body mass index 35 to 39.9 (class II obesity), and body mass index ≥40 (class III obesity). Multivariable regressions identified independent associations of covariates with 30-day mortality, complications, and resource use. RESULTS: Of 327,473 cholecystectomy patients, 1.0% were underweight, 19.5% normal weight, 30.3% overweight, 24.0% class I obesity, 13.5% class II obesity, and 11.7% class III obesity. After multivariable analysis, underweight patients had a higher risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 1.53; P = .029) and postoperative bleeding (adjusted odds ratio = 1.45; P = .011) relative to normal weight patients. Conversely, class III obesity patients had lower mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.66; P = .005) but increased operative time (ß = 10.2 minutes; P < .001), wound infection (adjusted odds ratio = 1.38; P < .001), and wound dehiscence (adjusted odds ratio = 2.20; P < .001). Hospital duration of stay and readmission rates were highest for underweight patients. CONCLUSION: Underweight patients experience increased risk of mortality and readmission, while class III obesity patients have higher rates of wound infection and dehiscence as well as prolonged operative time. These findings may guide choice of intervention.

Body mass index as a predictor of mortality in bronchiectasis: A nationwide population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: The prognosis of bronchiectasis is not well known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in bronchiectasis using a large nationwide population-based cohort. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort in Korea, individuals with bronchiectasis were identified from 2004 to 2006 and monitored for up to 10 years. Mortality in bronchiectasis was analyzed based on a BMI score <18.5 kg/m2 (underweight), 1.85-22.9 kg/m2 (normal weight), 23.0-24.9 kg/m2 (overweight), and >25.0 kg/m2 (obese). RESULTS: A total of 2769 individuals with bronchiectasis were included. The underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese accounted for 5.1%, 40.4%, 25.4%, and 29.3% of all patients with bronchiectasis, respectively. Compared to normal weight, underweight in bronchiectasis was associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.92-3.54), while obese was associated with decreased all-cause mortality (HR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.55-0.93). This relationship between BMI and mortality was more prominent in respiratory disease-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BMI is a predictor of mortality in bronchiectasis. Underweight is associated with increased mortality among individuals with bronchiectasis while obese is associated with decreased mortality.

Higher BMI Confers a Long-Term Functional Status Advantage in Elderly New Zealand European Stroke Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a risk factor for ischaemic stroke but provides a survival advantage. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and long-term function is less clear. The presence of an obesity paradox can inform clinical care and identify vulnerable patients who need additional support post-stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used linked health administrative data of a population based cohort of adult patients who experienced an ischaemic stroke between 2012 and 2017 in New Zealand. Patient demographics were obtained from the National Minimum Dataset (NMDS). BMI and Activities of Daily Living scores (ADLs) for the same patients were obtained from the International Resident Assessment Instrument (InterRAI™). RESULTS: Linked data was obtained for 3731 patients. Ninety-five percent of the cohort were aged 65 or older and the average age of stroke was 84.5 years. The majority of patients (55%) identified as New Zealand European. Beta regression indicated BMI and European ethnicity were negatively associated with ADL score. Univariate analysis confirmed patients with underweight stroke had significantly higher ADL scores than other BMI categories (p<0.001), however functional status for patients with overweight and obesity were comparable. Further, Asian and Pacific Peoples had higher ADL scores than Europeans (p<0.05). A higher BMI was advantageous to all ADL subscores. CONCLUSION: An abridged obesity paradox was evident in our cohort of stroke patients where a BMI in the overweight, but not obese range conferred a long-term functional status advantage. Collectively these results suggest underweight and non-European patients may require additional supportive clinical care post-stroke.

Body Mass Index and 90-Day Mortality Among 35,406 Danish Patients Hospitalized for Infection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality after hospitalization for infection because obesity is associated with increased energy reserves that may protect against death from severe infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 76,044 patients admitted with a primary infection diagnosis from January 1, 2011, to September 30, 2015, in Central Denmark, we examined a subgroup of 35,406 patients with a known BMI. We compared the 90-day death risk among patients with underweight, overweight, or obesity with a reference cohort of normal-weight patients. We also examined the impact of comorbid conditions, including cancer, tobacco smoking, and recent weight changes, on the associations and adjusted for other potential confounding factors. RESULTS: The 90-day mortality after hospital admission was 9.8% (3479 of 35,406) for any infection, 10.5% (466 of 4425) for urinary tract infection, 17.3% (1536 of 8855) for pneumonia, 24.9% (986 of 3964) for sepsis, and 6.2% (114 of 1831) for skin infection. The 90-day adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for death was substantially increased in patients with underweight (aHR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.58 to 1.94) compared with normal-weight patients. In contrast, mortality aHRs were decreased in patients with overweight (aHR, 0.64; 95% CI; 0.58 to 0.69) and obesity (aHR, 0.55; 95% CI; 0.49 to 0.62). Mortality reductions with overweight and obesity were consistent for all major infection types and remained robust independent of recent weight changes, smoking status, or comorbid conditions. Mortality was highest in patients without an apparent reason for their underweight (smoking/known disease), suggesting a role of undiagnosed comorbid conditions. CONCLUSION: We found evidence that higher BMI (overweight and obesity) is associated with improved survival following acute hospitalization for infection, whereas underweight increases the risk for death.

Underweight as a risk factor of mortality in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma (MM), a clonal plasma cell malignancy, composes around 10% of hematologic malignancies. Though recent advances in treatment have dramatically improved MM survival, some aggressive courses of disease and dismal outcomes still exist. Low body weight, undernutrition, and cachexia are noted at MM diagnosis. We aim to evaluate the impact of low body mass index (BMI) and undernutrition in MM patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed MM patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan between January 1, 2006 and October 31, 2018. Being underweight is defined as having a BMI of under 18.5 kg/m2. The patient's baseline characteristics, including BMI, serum albumin level, and comorbidities, etc., were recorded. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality. A Cox regression model was used to estimate the risk factors of mortality. RESULTS: A total of 378 newly diagnosed MM patients were enrolled in this study. The median age of the patients was 69. Thirty patients (7.9%) were underweight at diagnosis. The median overall survival was 1.3 years (95% CI 0.3-5.7) and 5.0 years (95% CI 3.1-5.9) for patients with low BMI and for patients with normal or higher BMI, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, low BMI (95% CI 1.07-4.44), ECOG ≥2 (95% CI 1.02-2.89), hypoalbuminemia (95% CI 1.21-4.01), high LDH (95% CI 1.22-3.49), and light chain ratio > 100 (95% CI 1.06-2.77) were independent risk factors of mortality. CONCLUSION: MM patients who were underweight, with hypoalbuminemia, poor performance status, higher LDH, and light chain ratio > 100 were associated with poor overall survival.

All-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in underweight patients with diabetic nephropathy: BioBank Japan cohort.

We aimed to determine mortality risk in underweight patients with diabetic nephropathy for microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria. We analyzed mortality and death-cause data from BioBank Japan, with baseline years 2003-2007. We analyzed mortality rates from all causes and ischemic heart disease, according to body mass index (<18.5, 18.5-21.9, 22-24.9 and ≥25 kg/m2 ). The mean (standard deviation) of patient age, body mass index, and glycated hemoglobin at enrollment was 61.6 years (11.7 years), 25.0 kg/m2 (4.4 kg/m2 ) and 7.7% (1.5%), respectively. Hazard ratios of all-cause and ischemic heart disease mortality were highest (1.79 [P = 0.0001] and 2.95 [P = 0.027], respectively) in patients with body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 , as compared with body mass index 22-24.9 kg/m2 . All-cause mortality risk for body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 was similar to that for current smokers (hazard ratio 1.70, P < 0.0001). Underweight could be a predictor of mortality risk in patients with diabetic nephropathy for microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria.