Wrist Circumference Cutoff Points for Determining Excess Weight Levels and Predicting Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults.

(1) Background: An elevated wrist circumference may indicate excess weight and cardiometabolic risk. The present study aims to identify wrist circumference cutoff points (WrC) to determine excess weight levels and predict cardiometabolic risk in adults. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults aged 20 to 59 years old, attending the outpatient clinic at University Hospital/Federal University of Sergipe HU/UFS-EBSERH. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure (BP) data were collected. Cardiometabolic risk was assessed, according to the global risk score (ERG) and Framingham score criteria. The descriptive analysis included calculating medians and frequencies of anthropometric, demographic, biochemical, and blood pressure variables. The gender and age of adult groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the association between wrist circumference (WrC) and the variables mentioned above. The predictive validity of WrC in identifying excess weight levels and cardiometabolic risk was analyzed using the ROC curve. The sample consisted of 1487 adults aged 20 to 59 years, 55.7% of whom were female; (3) Results: WrC correlated positively with other adiposity indicators such as waist circumference and Body Mass Index. WrC was the anthropometric indicator most significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. WrC cutoff points identified by the study for determining excess weight were categorized by gender and age group. For males aged 20 to 40 years and >40 years, respectively, the cutoff points for overweight were 17.1 cm and 17.3 cm, and for obesity, 17.9 cm and 17.5 cm. For females aged 20 to 40 years and >40 years, respectively, the cutoff points for overweight were 15.6 cm and 15.4 cm, and for obesity, 16.1 cm and 16 cm (4). Conclusions: Wrist circumference showed a significant correlation with other adiposity indicators and can be used to identify adults with excess weight and predict cardiometabolic risk.

Assessment of Malnutrition in Heart Failure and Its Relationship with Clinical Problems in Brazilian Health Services.

Malnutrition in heart failure (HF) is frequent and associated with a worse prognosis. Due to differences in investment and the profile of those assisted, the objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with HF and its association with clinical outcomes in the public and private health systems. Methodology: A cross-sectional study, with 247 volunteers hospitalized with HF in three public hospitals and one private hospital in Aracaju, SE, Brazil. A subjective global nutritional assessment (SGA) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) were performed. Results: Sample with 72.5% users of the public health system and 75.3% with malnutrition (public = 74.9%; private = 76.5%; p = 0.793). Regardless of the healthcare system, hospital stay (>14 days) was longer (p = 0.020) among those with malnutrition (48.4%) than well-nourished patients (29.5%). Malnutrition in the public system had higher mortality (7.5%; 5.8%; p < 0.001) and hospital transfer rate (21.1%; 0.0%; p < 0.001) than those in the private system. Death after discharge was observed only in the public system (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Malnutrition was frequent in both systems and was associated with longer hospital stays and, in the public hospital, in-hospital death and transfers.

BALANCE Dietary Index in Patients with Heart Failure, and Its Adherence in Sergipe, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: "The effective treatment of Heart Failure (HF) involves care with food intake. Recently, the Ministry of Health created the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet and its dietary index, BALANCE, which assesses adherence to the standard's recommendations". METHODS: This observational prospective study is part of the Congestive Heart Failure Registry (VICTIM-CHF) of Aracaju/SE. Observations and data collection took place from April 2018 to February 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical aspects and food consumption were evaluated. Food intake was determined using the food frequency questionnaire. Foods were categorized using the BALANCE dietary index into green, yellow, blue and red food groups. The BALANCE dietary index was obtained using median and interquartile ranges, scores of the Mann-Whitney U test, and associations between clinical variables and the index, through linear regression. RESULTS: Participants included 240 patients with HF (61.12 ± 1.06 years), who were assisted by the Unified Health System (67.5%). Individuals with a partner showed greater adherence to the green food group recommendations (0.09; 0.00-0.17). The lowest adherence to recommendations regarding the blue food group was observed in individuals with excess weight, who had a higher consumption of foods rich in animal protein (0.54; 0.38-0.78). As for the red food group (ultra-processed foods) the highest adherence was observed by patients with diabetes mellitus (0.41; 0.05-0.77). The greatest adherence to the yellow food group, and a higher score, was observed in patients with the smallest left ventricular systolic diameter (LVSD). CONCLUSIONS: Being married was directly associated with the consumption of foods in the green group, while being overweight and having diabetes were inversely associated with adherence to the blue and red food groups, respectively. Greater adherence to the yellow food group recommendations was inversely associated with less change in the DSFVE.

Food Patterns of Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure and Their Relationship with Demographic, Economic and Clinical Factors in Sergipe, Brazil.

Background: The high rates of hospitalization and mortality caused by Heart Failure (HF) have attracted the attention of health sectors around the world. Dietary patterns that involve food combinations and preparations with synergistic or antagonistic effects of different dietary components can influence the worsening and negative outcomes of this disease. Objectives: To describe the dietary patterns of patients hospitalized for HF decompensation and associate them with demographic, economic, and clinical factors, and the type of care provided in Sergipe. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study that is part of the Congestive Heart Failure Registry (VICTIM-CHF)" of Aracaju/SE. Prospective data collection took place with all patients hospitalized between April 2018 and February 2021 in cardiology referral hospitals, 2 public and 1 private. The data collected were sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, anthropometric and food consumption variables. Daily dietary intake was estimated by applying a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The extraction of dietary patterns, by exploratory factor analysis, was performed after grouping the foods according to the nutritional value and form of preparation into 34 groups. To assess the association between the factorial scores for adherence to the standards and the variables studied, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. Linear regressions were also performed, considering the dietary pattern (one for each pattern) as a dependent variable. Results: The study included 240 patients hospitalized for HF decompensation, most of them elderly (mean age 61.12 ± 1.06 years), male (52.08%) and attended by the Unified Health System­SUS (67.5%). Three dietary patterns were identified, labeled "traditional" (typical foods of the Brazilian northeastern population added to ultra-processed foods), "Mediterranean" (foods recommended by the Mediterranean diet) and "dual" (healthy foods combined with fast and easy-to-prepare foods like snacks, bread, sweets and desserts). Adherence to the "traditional" pattern was greater among men (p < 0.031) and non-diabetics (p < 0.003). The "Mediterranean" was more consumed by the elderly (p < 0.001), with partners (p = 0.001) and a lower income (p < 0.001), assisted by the SUS (p < 0.001) and without hypertension (p = 0,04). The "dual" diet pattern had greater adherence by the elderly (p < 0.001), self-declared non-black (p = 0.012), with higher income (p < 0.001), assisted in the private sector (p < 0.001) and with less impaired functional capacity (p = 0.037). It was also observed that being female (p = 0.031) and being older reduced the average scores of performing the "traditional" pattern (p = 0.002). Regarding the type of service, being from the public service reduced the average scores for adhering to the "dual" pattern (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Three dietary patterns representative of the population were found, called traditional, Mediterranean and dual, which were associated with demographic, economic and clinical factors. Thus, these standards must be considered in the development of nutritional strategies and recommendations in order to increase adherence to diets that are more protective against cardiovascular diseases.

Bariatric Surgery: Late Outcomes in Patients Who Reduced Comorbidities at Early Follow-Up.

Backgroundand Objectives: In severe obesity, a relevant weight loss can promote the reduction of comorbidities, such as systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (DM2). Bariatric surgery (BS) has been an essential resource in the therapy of this disease with a short-term reduction of cardiometabolic risk (CR). This study aimed to evaluate the reduction of factors associated with the CR in patients undergoing BS at a 5-year follow-up. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal, retrospective study carried out with patients undergoing BS by the Brazilian Public Healthcare System (PHS). Anthropometric and clinical parameters related to the CR (DM2, dyslipidemia, and SAH), quantified by the Assessment of Obesity-Related Comorbidities (AORC) score, were evaluated at the following moments: admission and preoperative and postoperative returns (3 months, 6 months, 1 to 5 years). Results: The sample had a mean age of 44.69 ± 9.49 years and were predominantly in the age group 20-29 years (34.80%) and women (72.46%). At admission to the service, 42.3% had DM2, 50.7% dyslipidemia, and 78.9% SAH. Regarding BS, the gastric bypass technique was used in 92.86% of the sample, and the waiting time for the procedure was 28.3 ± 24.4 months. In the pre- and postoperative period of 3 months, there was a significant reduction in the frequency of DM2 (p < 0.003), dyslipidemia (p < 0.000), and SAH (p < 0.000). However, at postoperative follow-up from 6 months to 5 years, there was no significant reduction in the comorbidities studied. After five years, 35.7% had total remission of DM2 and 2.9% partial remission of DM2, 44.2% had control and remission of dyslipidemia, and 19.6% of SAH (AORC score ≤ 2 for the comorbidities). Conclusion: BS promoted a reduction of the CR in the first three months after BS in severely obese PHS users.