Medidas antropométricas em idosos assistidos na atenção básica e sua associação com gênero, idade e síndrome da fragilidade: dados do EMI-SUS / Anthropometric measurements in elderly assisted in primary health care and their association with gender, age and frailty syndrome: EMI-SUS data

Objetivos: Descrever medidas antropométricas em idosos assistidos na atenção básica e analisar sua associação com gênero, idade e síndrome da fragilidade. Métodos: Este estudo transversal é parte do Estudo Epidemiológico e Clínico dos Idosos Atendidos pela Estratégia Saúde da Família de Porto Alegre-RS-Brasil (EMI-SUS). Foram obtidas dos idosos 27 medidas antropométricas (analisadas de forma isolada ou em equações, totalizando 41 dados de medidas antropométricas) e dados para determinação da síndrome de fragilidade (Fenótipo de Fried). Foram utilizados o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, o teste t de Student e o teste de análise de variância (ANOVA). Considerou-se o nível de confiança de 95%. Resultados: A amostra incluiu 583 idosos, sendo 371 (63,6%) mulheres. Homens apresentaram médias significativamente superiores de peso, estatura, altura do joelho, circunferências (antebraço, muscular do braço, pescoço, punho), área muscular do braço, relações (cintura/quadril, cintura/coxa, dobras tronco/extremidades) e índices (sagital, de conicidade). Mulheres apresentaram médias superiores do índice de massa corporal, circunferências (braço, cintura, coxa, quadril), dobras cutâneas (bicipital, tricipital, subescapular, suprailíaca, peitoral, coxa, panturrilha, média seis dobras), área de gordura do braço, relação cintura/estatura e relação diâmetro abdominal sagital/estatura. Idosos mais jovens apresentaram medidas superiores das circunferências do antebraço, braço, músculo do braço, coxa e área muscular do braço em relação aos mais velhos. Idosos robustos tinham estatura, altura do joelho, circunferência muscular do braço e área muscular do braço superiores e área de gordura do braço, dobras cutâneas da coxa, peitoral, bicipital, tricipital, panturrilha e relação diâmetro abdominal sagital/estatura inferiores aos frágeis e pré-frágeis. Idosos frágeis tinham circunferências da panturrilha e antebraço menores e relações cintura/estatura, cintura/coxa, cintura/panturrilha e índices de conicidade e sagital, maiores que os robustos. Conclusões: As medidas antropométricas mostraram-se associadas com gênero, idade e fragilidade. Nos homens, as médias das medidas de tamanho, compleição e de reserva de massa muscular foram maiores. Nas mulheres, as médias das medidas de reserva adiposa foram maiores e a associação das medidas com a faixa etária foi mais frequente. Fragilidade mostrou-se associada com perda de massa muscular. Idosos frágeis apresentaram medidas inferiores de tamanho e compleição.

Aims: To describe anthropometric measurements and analyze their association with gender, age, and frailty syndrome in elderly assisted in primary health care. Methods: This cross-sectional study is part of the Multidimensional Study of the Elderly in the Family Health Strategy in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil (EMI-SUS). Twenty-seven anthropometric measurements (analyzed in isolation or in equations, totaling 41 measurements) and data for determining the frailty (Fried Phenotype) were collected from elderly individuals. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis, considering a confidence level of 95%. Results: The sample included 583 elderly, of whom 371 (63.6%) were women. Men presented significantly higher means for weight, height, knee-height; forearm, muscle arm, neck and wrist circumferences; muscle arm area; ratios for waist-to-hip, waist-to-thigh, and trunk-to-skinfolds-extremities; and sagittal and conicity indexes. Women showed higher means for body mass index; arm, waist, thigh and hip circumferences; biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, pectoral, thigh, calf, and mean of six skinfolds; fat arm area, waist-to-height ratio and sagittal abdominal diameter-to-height ratio. The younger elderly presented higher measures of forearm, arm, muscle arm and thigh circumferences; and muscle arm area, in relation to the older. The robust elderly had higher measures of height, knee-height, muscle arm circumference and muscle arm area; and lower fat arm area, thigh, pectoral, biceps, triceps and calf skinfolds; and sagittal abdominal diameterto-height ratio, than the pre-frail and frail seniors. The frail elderly had lower calf and forearm circumferences than the robust elderly, and higher waist-to-height, waist-to-thigh and waist-to-calf ratios, and conicity and sagittal indexes. Conclusions: Anthropometric measures were associated with gender, age and frailty. In men, the mean measures of size, build and muscle mass reserve were higher. In women, the mean measures of fat reserve were higher and the association of the measures with age group was more frequent. Frailty proved to be associated with muscle mass loss. The frail elderly had lower measures of size and complexion.

Lack of association of body composition and functionality variables with metabolic syndrome in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The aging process causes alterations in body composition (decrease in lean mass and increase in fat mass), diminution of functionality (strength, mobility, and physical performance), and an increased prevalence of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of body composition and functionality with metabolic syndrome in the elderly. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Clinic of the Geriatric Service of Hospital São Lucas of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) involving 74 patients (14 males and 60 females). The patients were separated into two groups: Group 1=elderly with metabolic syndrome [through the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NECP ATP III) criteria; n=34], group 2=elderly without metabolic syndrome (n=40). The variables evaluated included age, gender, body composition (circumferences, skinfold thickness, BMI, muscle and fat thickness and muscle mass), functional variables [hand grip strength, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and Sit-to-Stand Test]. RESULTS: The results showed that elderly individuals with metabolic syndrome had a higher mean of the anthropometric measures (except abdominal skinfold thickness) compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome (P<0.005). We observed significant differences for muscle mass index (higher, P=0.029), TUGT (longer time, P=0.008), and hand grip strength (lower, P=0.015) in elderly with metabolic syndrome compared with subjects without metabolic syndrome. However, when these variables were adjusted for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI), none showed a significant association with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: We did not observe associations among metabolic syndrome, body composition, and functionality variables.