Avaliação do estado nutricional de adultos e idosos e situação nutricional da população brasileira

Early postoperative serum albumin levels as predictors of surgical outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is a common issue in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and has a negative effect on surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We attempted to determine which malnutrition diagnostic variables can be used as predictors of postoperative complications in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Forty-one patients undergoing surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were submitted to a prospective evaluation. Biochemical data, anthropometric measurements and evaluation of body composition were used in the nutritional analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (53.6%) developed complications. Serum albumin measured on the first postoperative day was the only variable that significantly differed between groups. A cut-off value of 2.8 g/dL distinguished between patients with a complicated and uncomplicated postoperative course. Normalization of albumin levels occurred more frequently and more rapidly in the noncomplicated group.

CONCLUSION

Serum albumin measured on the first postoperative day was the only variable that was a predicter of postoperative complications after major head and neck squamous cell carcinoma surgery.

Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older People with Functional and Nutritional Impairment and Depressive Symptoms: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil and Portugal

Background: The interaction of quality of life (QoL) with functionality, nutrition and depression has been studied, but few studies have compared different realities. Our objective was to compare the associations of QoL with impaired functionality, nutritional status and depressive symptoms among older people patients treated in primary health care (PHC) in Brazil and Portugal. Methods: Cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted with primary data from PHC services in Brazil and Portugal with users over 65 years old. Participants’ scores were classified as “impaired” and “preserved” for QoL, functional decline, nutrition and depression. We used Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Our sample had a total of 150 PHC users. We found lower QoL scores in Brazil, which were associated with the risk of functional decline for the domains Physical Functioning, General Health Perceptions, Mental Health dimensions and Physical Health. Nutritional impairment in the group from Portugal included the domains of Vitality and Social Role Functioning. For depressive impairment, Portugal showed an association with the domains Mental Health, Vitality and Social Role Functioning. Conclusions: QoL was associated with functional and nutritional impairment and depressive symptoms, highlighting physical, mental and social characteristics related to the perception of well-being.

Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: children and adolescents

The Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Children and Adolescents was developed by dietitians, physicians, and pediatric hematologists from 10 Brazilian reference centers in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The aim was to emphasize the importance of nutritional status and body composition during treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to patient´s nutritional assessment. This consensus is intended to improve and standardize nutrition therapy during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The consensus was approved by the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Analysis of body weight of adults by different indirect methods

Abstract Anthropometry is considered a widely applicable and effective method to track adiposity. Among the current methods of anthropometric analysis are the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Waist Hip Index (ICQ) are utilized. However, both presents limitations because they fail to estimate the adiposity. In this sense, recently the Body Adiposity Index (IAC) emerged as an important tool in the adipose mass evaluation of large populations. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate adults aged between 18 and 50 years through BMI, IAC and ICQ and to analyze the agreement degree between the methods. A total of 2602 individuals were analyzed, of which 1457 were women and 1145 men. After analyzing the data, it was verified that the majority of the population are within the standards of men was classified as not overweight only for ICQ and women for BMI and ICQ. In contrast the population of men is classified as healthy only for ICQ and women for BMI and ICQ. Concerning the agreement between the methods, only a positive and significant agreement between BMI and IAC was observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that IAC is an alternative for assessing body composition, showing a good method to estimate the percentage of total body fat of men and women, thus increasing the possibilities of diagnosis of obesity and overweight.

Evaluation of Alternative Halo Ring Positions in Children Using Tomography

OBJECTIVES

The halo ring can be applied in children, through skeletal traction or a halo vest device, to treat many cervical spine pathologies, including traumatic injuries and pathologies related to deformities. However, the procedure is associated with various complications, such as infection, pin loosening, and respiratory and neurological problems. Although widely studied in adults, the best pin insertion site in children and the correlations of pin insertion sites with outcomes and complications have not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to determine alternative pin placement sites based on a morphological analysis of the infant skull by computerized tomography (CT).

METHODS

An analytical-descriptive study was performed using 50 CT scans from children. The Wilcoxon and Friedman tests were used.

RESULTS

A linear and directly proportional relation was found between cranial thickness and patient age. The average thicknesses of the anterior points across all ages analyzed ranged from 4.16 mm to 4.98 mm. The thicknesses of the posterior points varied from 3.94 mm to 4.27 mm. Within each age range, points 1 cm above the standard insertion sites had thicknesses similar to those of the standard sites, and points 2 cm above the standard insertion sites had thicknesses greater than those of the standard sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The cranial thickness at all points increases linearly with age. Points 1 and 2 cm above the standard insertion sites are viable alternatives for the placement of halo pins. Preoperative CT can aid in choosing the best positioning sites for pins in the skull.

Evaluation of dynapenia in the elderly in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Introduction: Aging is characterized by psychological, social, nutritional and biological changes, among which dynapenia stands out. Objective: To analyze the presence of dynapenia and associated factors in elderly people living in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 295 elderly individuals aged 60 years or older, who were users of public health units in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Dynapenia was assessed by handgrip strength, and its associations were investigated using multivariate logistic regression, according to sociodemographic variables, nutritional status, protein consumption, presence of diseases, and physical activity. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM-SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software. The adopted level of significance was p < 0.05. Results: Most of the participants were female (n = 251), with mean age of 70.6 years (± 7.0). The presence of dynapenia was observed in 24.07% (n = 71), among which 47 were women (18.73%) and 24 were men (54.55%). Observed associations concerned older age, male sex, lower circumference of the arm and calf, and lower triceps skinfold (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Approximately one-fourth of the elderly studied presented dynapenia, which represents a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. The inclusion of PPF alongside other anthropometric measures for assessing nutritional status is recommended. It is important for public policies to be directed towards health promotion and risk prevention in this age group.

The importance of dysphagia screening and nutritional assessment in hospitalized patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine frequency of dysphagia risk and associated factors in hospitalized patients as well as to evaluate nutritional status by using different methods and correlate the status with scores of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including 909 inpatients of a philanthropic hospital. For the diagnosis of dysphagia we used an adapted and validated Brazilian version of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). The nutritional status was evaluated through the subjective global assessment, and anthropometric measurements included weight, calf and arm circumference, and knee height. The Mann-Whitney test, associations using the Pearson's χ2 and Spearman's correlation were used to verify differences between the groups.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dysphagia risk was 10.5%, and aging was the associated factor with this condition. Patients at risk presented lower values of arm and calf circumference, variables that correlated inversely with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score. Malnutrition was observed in 13.2% of patients based on the subjective global assessment and in 15.2% based on the Body Mass Index.

CONCLUSION

Screening for dysphagia and malnutrition should be introduced in hospitals routine to avoid or minimize damages caused by dysphagia or malnutrition, especially among older people.

Prevalence of hypoalbuminemia and nutritional issues in hospitalized elders

Objective:

to estimate the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia in hospitalized elders, related to socio-demographic variables, nutritional status and length of stay.

Methods:

crosscutting study with 200 patients hospitalized in a large hospital in the South of Brazil during three months. Evaluations, lab tests and interviews through questionnaires were performed.

Results:

the average albuminemia was 2,9 ± 0,5g/dL. Hypoalbuminemia was diagnosed in 173 subjects (87%) and was absent in 27 (13%) that have normal albuminemia (p=0,000). After six days of hospitalization, the prevalence of low levels grew significantly to 90% (p=0,002), average 2,7 ± 0,5g/dL. Using the Mini Nutritional Assessment, it was observed that 41 patients were malnourished and from those, 40 had hypoalbuminemia.

Conclusion:

the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia proved to be high, in approx. nine in ten elders, and the nutritional status and the length of stay proved to be related to the decrease of serum albumin levels. Thus, it is suggested that monitoring albumin levels should be done to evaluate the risk that the patient has to develop malnutrition and other complications during hospital stays.

Economic analysis of costs with enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy according to disease and outcome

Objective

To conduct an economic analysis of enteral and parenteral diet costs according to the type of disease and outcome (survivors versus deaths).

Methods

It is a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study with a qualitative and quantitative design, based on analysis of hospital accounts from a healthcare insurance provider in the Southern region of Brazil.

Results

We analyzed 301 hospital accounts of individuals who used enteral and parenteral diets. The total cost of the diet was 35.4% of hospital account total costs. The enteral modality accounted for 59.8% of total dietary costs. The major costs with diets were observed in hospitalizations related to infections, cancers and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. The major costs with parenteral diet were with admissions related by cancers (64.52%) and dementia syndromes (46.17%). The highest ratio between total diet costs with the total of hospital account costs was in dementia syndromes (46.32%) and in cancers (41.2%). The individuals who died spent 51.26% of total of hospital account costs, being 32.81% in diet (47.45% of total diet value and 58.81% in parenteral modality).

Conclusion

Enteral and parenteral nutritional therapies account for a significant part of the costs with hospitalized individuals, especially in cases of cancers and dementia syndromes. The costs of parenteral diets were higher in the group of patients who died.

BODY COMPOSITION IN PATIENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS

BACKGROUND

The nutritional status of individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases is directly related to the severity of the disease and is associated with poor prognosis and the deterioration of immune competence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nutritional status and the body composition of outpatients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with clinical and nutritional assessment of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients were classified according to the clinical activity through Crohn's Disease Activity Index and Mayo Score. Nutritional assessment consisted of anthropometric measurements of current weight, height, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness and thickness of adductor policis muscle, with subsequent calculation of BMI, arm muscle circumference and the mid-arm muscle area (MAMA). The phase angle (PhA) and lean and fat mass were obtained with the use of electrical bioimpedance. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test or Fisher exact test, ANOVA and t-test.

RESULTS

We evaluated 141 patients of which 54 (38.29%) had Crohn's disease and 87 (61.70%) ulcerative colitis. The mean age was 43.98 (±15.68) years in Crohn's disease and 44.28 (±16.29) years for ulcerative colitis. Most of the patients were in clinical remission of the disease (Crohn's disease: 88.89%; ulcerative colitis: 87.36%). Regarding the nutritional classification using BMI, it was found that 48.15% of Crohn's disease patients were eutrophic and 40.74% were overweight or obese; among patients with ulcerative colitis, 52.87% were classified as overweight or obese. When considering the triceps skinfold, it was observed in both groups a high percentage of overweight and obesity (Crohn's disease: 75.93%; ulcerative colitis: 72.42%). Crohn's disease patients showed the most affected nutritional status according to the nutritional variables when compared to patients with ulcerative colitis (BMI: 24.88 kg/m² x BMI: 26.56 kg/m², P=0.054; MAMA: 35.11 mm x MAMA: 40.39 mm, P=0.040; PhA: 6.46° x PhA: 6.83°, P=0.006).

CONCLUSION

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases have a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. Crohn's disease patients had more impaired anthropometric and body composition indicators when compared to patients with ulcerative colitis.

Association between nutritional indicators and risk of hospitalization among hemodialysis patients

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the ability of nutritional indicators to predict risk of hospitalization in hemodialysis patients. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted in two hemodialysis units in Southern Brazil. The following nutritional indicators were evaluated: subjective global assessment, malnutrition-inflammation score, nutritional risk screening 2002, percentage of body fat, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, hand grip strength, phase angle, and serum albumin. The association between nutritional indicators and risk of hospitalization over a period of two years was analyzed. Results One hundred thirty-eight patients (55.4±15.2 years, 61.6% men) were evaluated. The cumulative incidence of hospitalization during the study was 48.0% (95%CI=37.9-58.0). Patients hospitalized during the study period had higher body mass index and lower serum albumin than those who were not hospitalized. Based on the other indicators, malnourished patients did not have a significant risk of hospitalization (p>0.05). Serum albumin was the only predictor of hospitalization. Patients with levels <3.8 g/dL had a density ratio for incidence of hospitalization 2.47 times greater than those with higher levels (p=0.003). Gender was a modifier of the effect (p interaction=0.042), with an effect in women of 7.31 (95%CI=2.34-22.9; p=0.001) and in men of 1.37 (95%CI=0.60-3.12; p=0.448). Conclusion Serum albumin was able to predict the risk of hospitalization over a period of two years in female patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Estimating weight in elderly residents in nursing homes: which equation to use?

INTRODUCTION

When it is impossible to measure weight in the elderly, estimation methods can be employed. However, such methods are not always applicable and can lead to estimation errors that compromise both the clinical practice and the results in epidemiological studies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare and validate weight estimation methods in the elderly living in nursing homes in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

METHODS

The equations were evaluated qualitatively, by the reproducibility of the measurements that comprised them, and quantitatively, by the mean difference between the measured and the estimated weights, using Student's t -test for paired samples or ANOVA, the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and graphical analysis of residuals. The significance value adopted was of p < 0.05. It was considered applicable when the equation presented R² > 0.7; lowest RMSE among the evaluated equations; ICC > 0.7; and respective 95% confidence interval with less distance between the upper and lower limits.

RESULTS

We evaluated 315 elderly from 10 nursing homes in Natal. The mean body weight was higher in the younger elderly and those without mobility restriction. The qualitative analysis showed the equation 5 as having the best reproducibility, since it does not use skinfold measurements. The quantitative analysis revealed the equation 5 as the one with the best applicability across the studied population and in the different genders, age groups (60 - 69 years, 70 - 79 years, and 80 years or more), and mobility restriction conditions.

CONCLUSION

The equation 5 was applicable for estimating weight in the evaluated population and in the different strata analyzed.

Baixo peso e dependência funcional em idosos institucionalizados de Uberlândia (MG), Brasil

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar a associação entre estado nutricional e dependência funcional dos idosos institucionalizados de Uberlândia (MG). Estudo transversal, com 233 idosos. Foram avaliadas variáveis sociodemográficas, estado nutricional e o grau de dependência dos idosos. Realizou-se análise multivariada pela Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, para verificar a associação entre o estado nutricional e dependência funcional. O baixo peso pelo Índice de Massa Corporal se associou à dependência funcional após controle para variáveis socioeconômicas e demográficas, os idosos com baixo peso tinham uma razão de prevalência de dependência de 1,20 vezes àquela dos eutróficos. Como bem reportado pela literatura, a idade também se associou à dependência, com razão de prevalência de 1,19, para os longevos. O baixo peso constituiu importante fator associado à incapacidade funcional. Dessa forma, ressalta-se a necessidade de avaliação, monitoramento e recuperação do estado nutricional de idosos institucionalizados, que além de reduzir morbimortalidade por diversas doenças e melhorar a qualidade de vida, ainda pode prevenir e retardar a dependência funcional.

Clinical strategies to accelerate recovery after surgery orthopedic femur in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of hip fracture is increasing with the continued aging of the population. The aim of this study was to compare the results after implementing the project accelerated post-operative recovery after surgery femur in patients aged over 60 years.

METHODS

Patients were observed during two distinct periods: Before implantation and after the implementation of the project Acerto. Patients underwent spinal anesthesia with post-operative analgesia by lumbar plexus block. Data evaluation was carried out in four stages of the study in both groups: Before arrival to the operating room during surgery, post-anesthesia care unit and on the ward in the morning of day 1 post-operatively.

RESULTS

The project implementation significantly reduces the length of stay, the number of suspension of surgery, duration of fasting, the incidence of hunger and thirst and the reintroduction of oral feeding. Oral feeding 2-4 h before surgery with dextrinomaltose not attended with nausea and vomiting. All patients were able to discharge on day 1 post-operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of clinical measures of accelerating patient recovery decreased length of stay, the number of suspensions of surgery, the time of fasting, the time of oral food reintroduction, high earlier and faster return to family life, working as humanization of treatment to the elderly.

Análise de idosos ambulatoriais quanto ao estado nutricional, sarcopenia, função renal e densidade óssea

Objetivo : Avaliar relações entre estado nutricional, sarcopenia e osteoporose em idosas.Sujeitos e métodos : Estudamos 44 mulheres, 67-94 anos, mediante miniavaliação nutricional (MAN), filtração glomerular (FG) corr. 1,73 m2, índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência da panturrilha e braquial (CP e CB), densidade mineral óssea e composição corporal, DXA (massa gorda – MG; massa magra – MM). Aferimos sarcopenia: IMM = MM MSS + MIS/altura2. Utilizamos o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, e p < 0,05 como significativo.Resultados : MNA e IMM se correlacionaram positivamente com IMC, CP, CB e MG. A idade influenciou negativamente FG corr., IMC, MG, IMM e CP. Quatorze tinham história de fraturas osteoporóticas. O mais baixo T-score foi diretamente relacionado a MAN e MG.Conclusões : O envelhecimento acarretou o declínio da FG, MG e massa muscular; a circunferência da panturrilha e braquial refletiu estado nutricional e composição corporal; e as grandes influências na DMO foram estado nutricional e MG. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):226-31

Prevalence of nutritional deficiency in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of nutritional deficiency among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using data obtained from the Brazilian Case Registry Database and from the medical records of patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (15-59 years of age) residing in one of the municipalities that make up the 16th Regional Health District of the state of Bahia. We calculated the incidence, lethality, and mortality rates, as well as the prevalence of nutritional deficiency, as evaluated by body mass index. Demographic, social, clinical, and epidemiological data were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 72 confirmed cases of tuberculosis, 59 (81.9%) were in males, and 21 (29.2%) of the patients were in the 40-49 year age bracket. The majority (85.3%) described themselves as Mulatto or Black; 55.2% reported using alcohol; and approximately 90% were treated as outpatients. In the district and age bracket studied, the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis was 30.6/100,000 population. Among the 72 patients, data regarding nutritional status was available for 34. Of those, 50% and 25%, respectively, presented nutritional deficiency at the beginning and at the end of treatment. No statistically significant differences were found between normal-weight and malnourished patients regarding the characteristics studied.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of nutritional deficiency was high among our sample of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. This underscores the importance of nutritional follow-up for the assessment of tuberculosis treatment in the decision-making process regarding therapeutic interventions.

Influence of height, weight and body mass index in the axial tongue force

PURPOSE

To analyze the influence of weight, height and body mass index in the axial tongue force.

METHODS

Medical records with data from 44 subjects aged between 20 and 37 years, 11 (25%) males and 33 (75%) female, were analyzed. The investigated information were weight, height, result of clinical evaluation for tongue force (lingual tonus) and instrumental assessment of axial tongue force, which was accomplished by using the FORLING. Data was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

No differences were observed between the force values regarding the variables body mass index classification and clinical classification of tongue force. Body mass index and weight had positive correlation with mean tongue force. There was a strong positive correlation between the variables mean force, maximum force and highest maximum force.

CONCLUSION

Although body mass index and weight correlated positively with the mean axial tongue force, there was no association between body mass index classification and the axial tongue forces.

Questionário nutricional simplificado de apetite (QNSA) para uso em programas de reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica

O presente estudo teve por objetivo traduzir e validar para a língua portuguesa o Questionário Nutricional Simplificado de Apetite (QNSA), verificando sua clareza e validade para participantes de programa de Reabilitação Cardiopulmonar e Metabólica (RCPM). Cento e quarenta e seis indivíduos foram entrevistados, sendo 79 homens, com média de idade de 63 anos (± 10) e 67 mulheres, com média de 66 anos (± 11). A análise descritiva foi apresentada em média, desvio padrão e frequência. A consistência interna da escala foi avaliada por meio do coeficiente alfa de Cronbach e a análise fatorial pelo método de extração de análise dos componentes principais utilizando os critérios de Kaiser (autovalores > 1). Todas as questões do instrumento apresentaram resultados positivos em relação à clareza. Os itens do questionário apresentaram carga fatorial superior a 0,40, com variação de 0,40 a 0,81. Com exceção da questão relacionada com a quantidade de refeições diárias, todas as demais apresentaram alta correlação com o escore total da versão brasileira do instrumento. No que se refere à análise de consistência interna, obteve-se resultado de 0,61. A versão brasileira do QNSA demonstrou ser válida para aplicação em participantes de programa de RCPM, constituindo-se em uma importante ferramenta na avaliação do apetite nessa população.

Correlação entre estado nutricional e força de preensão palmar em idosos

No envelhecimento ocorrem mudanças corpóreas, dentre as quais a diminuição de massa magra com prejuízo na força muscular, afetando a capacidade funcional. Atualmente, o teste de Força de Preensão Palmar (FPP) está sendo utilizado para avaliar a força muscular global como auxiliar na avaliação nutricional. OBJETIVO: Verificar a correlação entre o estado nutricional e a FPP em idosos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com idosos atendidos em ambulatórios de uma universidade pública federal. Para a classificação do estado nutricional, utilizam-se: índice de massa corpórea (IMC), avaliação nutricional por meio da Mini-Avaliação Nutricional (MAN), circunferência da panturrilha (CP) e FPP realizada com auxílio de um dinamômetro manual hidráulico. Utilizaram-se como referência para a FPP e IMC os pontos de cortes divididos por gênero (projeto SABE/OPAS). RESULTADOS: Amostra constituída (n=42) na sua maioria por mulheres (66,7%), apresentando em média 26,82 pontos na MAN e pelo IMC a maioria dos idosos eram eutróficos - 46,4% mulheres e 57,1% homens. Homens e mulheres obtiveram média superior a 31 cm de circunferência da panturrilha (CP). A média de força para homens foi superior ao valor obtido pelas mulheres. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o estado nutricional classificado pelo IMC e a FPP para homens e mulheres; houve correlação estatisticamente significante (p 0,008) entre o estado nutricional classificado pela MAN e a força de preensão palmar na amostra total. CONCLUSÕES: Dentre os métodos para avaliar o estado nutricional, apenas a MAN correlacionou-se positivamente com a FPP, que é uma medida associada à funcionalidade em idosos.

Oral health status and chewing ability is related to mini-nutritional assessment results in an older adult population in Thailand

In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationship of Mini-Nutrition Assessment (MNA) results with chewing ability tests and oral examinations (number of teeth present and functional tooth units (FTUs)). The participants were 612 older people (Mean [SD] age: 68.8 [5.9]). According to the MNA score, 25.1% of participants were categorized as having normal nutrition, 67.2% were categorized as at risk of malnourishment, and 7.7% were categorized as having malnutrition. The mean numbers of teeth present and FTUs were [15.5] and [8.9], respectively. The ANCOVA analyses adjusted for age and gender showed that participants with malnutrition had lower numbers of teeth present (8.8), FTUs (8.4), and chewing ability (6.8) than those with normal nutrition (13.3, 10.4 and 7.8) (p < 0.05). Nutritional status was associated with mean numbers of teeth present, FTUs, and chewing ability. Therefore, it was concluded that retention of natural teeth with appropriate numbers of FTUs by replacing missing teeth with dentures and improving chewing ability will help the reduce risk of malnutrition in older adults.

Comparação de métodos de avaliação da gordura corporal total e sua distribuição

OBJETIVO: Comparar dois métodos de avaliação da gordura corporal total e sua distribuição. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, aninhado a uma coorte. Em amostra de 62 mulheres realizou-se avaliação do estado nutricional, incluindo a gordura corporal (GC) total obtida pelo somatório de dobras cutâneas (ΣDC) e bioimpedância (BIA). Mensurou-se a distribuição da gordura visceral por ultrassonografia (USG) (espessura de gordura intra-abdominal-EIA) e circunferência da cintura (CC). Foram calculados o coeficiente de correlação de concordância (CCC) e o coeficiente de determinação (r²). RESULTADOS: A média de idade das pacientes foi de 48,19 (8,99) anos. Observou-se 36 (58,06%) mulheres com a CC muito aumentada e 42 (67,74%) com GC aumentada. Identificou-se moderada concordância (r² = 0,42; CCC = 0,59; p < 0,01), entre os métodos avaliados para determinação da gordura corporal (%) e uma ótima concordância (r² = 0,90; CCC = 0,91; p < 0,01) para a gordura corporal (kg), avaliadas por BIA e ΣDC. A comparação entre a CC e EIA (USG) evidenciou uma moderada concordância (r² = 0,49; p < 0,01), entre os métodos. CONCLUSÕES: Evidenciou-se moderada concordância na avaliação da gordura corporal total (%) e ótima concordância na avaliação da gordura corporal (kg), entre os métodos utilizados. Identificou-se uma moderada concordância entre os métodos de distribuição da gordura corporal.

Estado nutricional de gestantes avaliado por três diferentes métodos de classificação antropométrica

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional de gestantes por três diferentes métodos. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, realizado entre janeiro e junho de 2006, com 992 gestantes de um serviço público. O estado nutricional foi classificado por diferentes métodos de avaliação: nomograma de Rosso, método de Atalah e gestograma do Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia. Os resultados foram comparados com o estado nutricional de mulheres não gestantes em idade reprodutiva da Região Nordeste e do Brasil. As diferenças foram analisadas pelo teste qui-quadrado de bondade de ajuste, adotando-se o nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: O baixo peso gravídico avaliado pelo nomograma de Rosso foi a condição que mais contribuiu para a diferença encontrada (p<0,001). Pelo método de Atalah, as diferenças extremas também foram observadas nas prevalências de baixo peso gravídico tanto no grupo de mulheres da Região Nordeste quanto do Brasil. Em relação ao gestograma do Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia, os maiores diferenciais de prevalência também ocorreram na condição de baixo peso: 18% versus 7,4% para a Região Nordeste e 18% versus 6,7% para o Brasil, embora tenha sido o método de avaliação que mais se aproximou dos resultados da população de comparação. CONCLUSÃO: A distribuição do estado nutricional, avaliado pelos três métodos, foi diferente da distribuição nutricional da população de não gestantes tanto em nível regional quanto em nível nacional, particularmente o Nomograma de Rosso, demonstrando utilidade limitada desses instrumentos. A avaliação pelo Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia é a que menos se distancia da situação encontrada para não gestantes.

Incapacidade funcional em mulheres idosas de baixa renda

O propósito deste estudo foi o de analisar a relação dos aspectos sociodemográficos e referentes às condições de saúde com a incapacidade funcional em mulheres idosas de baixa renda. O estudo teve delineamento transversal, com uma amostra representativa de 222 mulheres, com média de 70 anos (± 7,27), pertencentes a grupos de convivência no município de Jequié, Bahia. Foram realizadas medidas antropométricas e a aplicação de uma entrevista contemplando as variáveis: sociodemográficas, saúde física e comportamental. A análise estatística foi realizada com nível de significância p<0,05, com cálculo da respectiva razão de chances na regressão logística binária, para análise de fatores hierarquicamente agrupados. A prevalência de incapacidade funcional foi de 46,8%, nos quais a partir de análise multivariada hierarquizada verificaram-se associação significativa com o aumento da idade, baixo nível de educação, hospitalização, ausência de práticas de atividades físicas ao longo da vida e alterações na função cognitiva. As características identificadas que associaram as limitações em atividades instrumentais da vida diária sugerem uma complexa rede causal na determinação da capacidade funcional em mulheres idosas de baixa renda.

Dental and gastrointestinal changes as indicators of nutritional depletion in elderly inpatients

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify the associations between the nutritional status of elderly patients and length of hospital stay and presence of dental and gastrointestinal changes.

CASUISTIC AND METHOD

This cross-sectional study analyzed anthropometric and food intake indicators, dental and gastrointestinal changes and length of hospital stay of 441 elderly patients of both genders. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to verify the correlation between the nutritional status of the elderly patients and length of hospital stay and presence of dental and gastrointestinal changes. The significance level was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Dietary and anthropometric variables as well as length of hospital stay were similar for patients with and without dental changes. Patients with gastrointestinal changes consumed less energy (P < 0.05) than patients without gastrointestinal changes. Length of hospital stay was inversely correlated with body mass index (r = -0.15; P < 0.05); arm circumference was inversely correlated with presence of dental changes (r = -0.12; P < 0.05) and mid-arm muscle circumference was inversely correlated with gastrointestinal changes (r = -0.12; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dental and gastrointestinal changes are important indicators of nutritional depletion and dietary intake of inpatients.

Vitamin D status in a sunny country: where has the sun gone?

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Hypovitaminosis D [serum 25 vitamin D<30 ng/ml] is related to the development of metabolic bone disease and greater risk of chronic illnesses. However, it is frequently under-diagnosed, mainly in countries where UV radiation is abundant. We prospectively determined the prevalence and the predictors of serum 25 vitamin D (s25(OH)D) in a healthy Brazilian population after the winter and after the summer.

METHODS

603 (118M and 485F) healthy Brazilian volunteers aged 18-90 years from a universitary hospital were selected after the winter of 2006. From the initial sample, 209 volunteers (31M and 178F) accepted to participate in a second health check after the subsequent summer.

RESULTS

After the winter, median s25(OH)D was 21.4 ng/mL and 77.4% of the population presented hypovitaminosis D. s25(OH)D was significantly related to age, BMI, PTH and race. In multivariate linear regression analysis, s25(OH)D was significantly and independently dependent on age, glycemia and skin color. Significant increase in s25(OH)D was verified after summer [10.6 (3.7-19.3 ng/ml); p<0.001] and this improvement was dependent on age. We also observed a significant decrease in hyperparathyroidism prevalence (20.8% vs. 4.9%; P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

In São Paulo, at the end of winter, we observed a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in healthy adults. s25(OH)D was dependent on age and skin color. After summer, we observed a decrease in the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. This unexpected finding emphasizes the need for a strong recommendation to monitor s25(OH)D, even in a sunny country such as Brazil.

The impact of hip fracture (HF) on the functional status (FS) of older persons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: results of a prospective cohort study

There is no prospective study investigating the impact of hip fracture (HF) on functional status (FS) in Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a HF on the FS of older persons 1 year after the fracture and the factors associated with decline in FS 1 year after the fracture. Two hundred and forty-six patients who were admitted to one of four hospitals after HF participated. The sample for this study consisted of 160 patients who were still alive and had information on functional limitations after 1 year. The Brazil Old Age Schedule (BOAS) was used to assess FS before and 1 year after HF. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of decline 1 year after fracture. Of the patients, 46.3% did not achieve their prior FS. Older age, being underweight, total length of stay and the use of psychotics/sedatives and anxiolitics were associated in multivariate analyses with decline in FS. Working before the fracture was protective of decline in FS. We conclude that HF severely compromised the FS of older persons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Caregiver's education level, not income, as determining factor of dietary intake and nutritional status of individuals cared for at home

INTRODUCTION

Home care should intervene in the nutritional status of the elderly.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the nutritional status of the elderly assisted by a Home Care Program (PAD) and associate it with income and education level of the caregiver.

CASUISTIC AND METHOD

Thirty-four individuals of both genders who received home care from PAD. The MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) was used along with arm circumference. Dietary intake assessment was done with three 24-hour recalls in non-consecutive days. We collected data on income, education level of the caregiver and user in years of formal education and autonomy of user. The differences between the proportions of the nominal variables were tested by the chi-square test. The continuous variables were tested for normality and if normal, the Student's t-test or ANOVA was applied. The adopted significance level was P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The studied sample represented individuals older than 65 years, assisted by PAD and 100% dependent on the caregiver. MNA revealed that 38.2% of the users were malnourished and 61.8% were at risk for malnourishment. Energy, fiber, vitamin E, calcium and zinc intakes were inadequate. Education level of the caregivers was a determining factor (P=0.01) for the nutritional status of the elderly while no association was found with respect to income.

CONCLUSION

These findings allows us to conclude that the nutritional status of this population is worrisome and that it may be associated with low quality of life influenced by the education level of the caregiver, but also by age, economic conditions and limited autonomy of this population.

Perfil nutricional de pacientes candidatos ao transplante de pulmão

OBJETIVO: Verificar o perfil nutricional dos pacientes candidatos ao transplante de pulmão. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo com pacientes candidatos ao transplante de pulmão em um hospital público da cidade de São Paulo. O gênero, a idade e a doença pulmonar de base dos participantes foram compilados. Para a avaliação do perfil nutricional dos pacientes, o índice de massa corporal (IMC), a circunferência muscular do braço (CMB), a circunferência da cintura (CC) e a prega cutânea tricipital (PCT) foram determinados durante o primeiro atendimento ambulatorial. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 117 pacientes, sendo 69 (59%) do gênero masculino. A média de idade dos participantes foi de 42,5 ± 15,2 anos. A doença de base de maior prevalência foi o enfisema pulmonar, em 29 pacientes (24,8%). O perfil nutricional de 48,3% dos pacientes com enfisema pulmonar, de 55% dos com fibrose cística, 56% dos com bronquiectasias e de 50% dos com outras doenças pulmonares foi considerado normal. A maior parte dos pacientes com fibrose pulmonar (51,7%) foi classificada com excesso de peso. A PCT indicou que os pacientes com fibrose cística apresentaram um elevado risco de depleção (64,7%), seguidos pelos pacientes com bronquiectasias (52,6%). CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes com fibrose pulmonar foram os que obtiveram maiores valores de IMC, mas com PCT e CMB correspondentes a eutrofia. Pacientes com fibrose cística e bronquiectasias apresentaram maior prevalência de depleção nutricional, baseado na PCT e CMB.

Association between oral health status and nutritional status in south Brazilian independent-living older people

OBJECTIVE

Evidence suggests that older people with partial tooth loss and edentulism change their diet and lack specific nutrients, but few studies have assessed whether poor oral status is associated with risk of malnutrition and malnutrition in independent-living older people. We evaluated if poor oral status was associated with risk of malnutrition and malnutrition in this population.

METHODS

A random sample of 471 south Brazilians > or =60 y of age was evaluated. Measurements included a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic, behavioral, general, and oral health data; nutritional status assessment, according to the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA); and oral status assessment, by means of oral examinations assessing the number of teeth and use of dental prostheses. Correlates of risk of malnutrition/malnutrition according to the MNA were assessed by means of multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Participants who reported dissatisfaction with their gingival health and edentulous persons wearing only one denture were more likely to be at risk of malnutrition, according to the screening MNA. Dissatisfaction with gingival health was a risk indicator, whereas having one to eight natural teeth was protective against the risk of malnutrition/malnutrition according to the full MNA.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, older people with a compromised oral status had higher odds for risk of malnutrition. The maintenance of a few teeth had a crucial role in increasing the chance of maintaining an adequate nutritional status in the studied population. In cases where edentulism was present, complete dental prosthetic use was associated with better nutritional status.

Aplicabilidade dos métodos de triagem nutricional no paciente hospitalizado

A prevalência de desnutrição energético-protéica em ambiente hospitalar varia de 20% a 50%, conforme critérios utilizados. O risco nutricional se refere ao risco aumentado de morbimortalidade em decorrência do estado nutricional. A triagem nutricional identifica indivíduos desnutridos ou em risco de desnutrição, almejando determinar se existe risco nutricional e se é necessária avaliação nutricional mais detalhada. Já a avaliação nutricional, além de detectar desnutrição, classifica seu grau e permite coleta de informações que auxiliem em sua correção. Foram revisadas as ferramentas de triagem nutricional mais citadas na literatura atual. Para obtenção dos artigos de triagem nutricional foram feitas pesquisas nos websites científicos. Dentre as ferramentas citadas, ressalta-se a Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, que pode ser aplicada a todos os pacientes internados em hospitais, independentemente da doença que apresentem ou da idade, sem custo adicional ao serviço e que pode ser efetuada por diferentes profissionais. Cabe a cada profissional desenvolver senso crítico para determinar sua técnica de preferência.

Concordância entre as medidas de peso e estatura mensuradas e auto-referidas para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional de idosos residentes no sul do Brasil

Este estudo teve como objetivos verificar a concordância entre as medidas mensuradas e auto-referidas de peso, estatura e índice de massa corporal (IMC) e analisar a influência do estado nutricional e das variáveis sociodemográficas na diferença da medida auto-referida em idosos. Foram avaliados 368 idosos (284 mulheres e 84 homens), entre 60 e 85 anos de idade. As medidas mensuradas e auto-referidas de peso e estatura foram coletadas, sendo que as informações auto-referidas e sociodemograficas foram obtidas por meio de um questionário auto-aplicado. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva e o teste t student para comparar a médias, análise de variância (ANOVA) para comparar as diferenças em relação ao estado nutricional e o teste de Kruskal-Wallis foi utilizado para comparar as diferenças em relação aos grupos de idade, nível educacional e nível socioeconômico. Utilizou-se o programa SPSS versão 11.0 com um nível de significância de p<0,05. Os homens tenderam a superestimar os valores de peso auto-referido. Nas mulheres, foram observadas diferenças significativas para todas as variáveis analisadas, sendo que a estatura auto-referida foi superestimada, enquanto que o peso e o IMC foram subestimados sistematicamente. As prevalências de sobrepeso para homens e mulheres diferiram significativamente, sendo influenciada nas mulheres pela idade e pelo nível educacional, já homens, apenas pela idade. Uma diferença inferior a -2kg-/-m² no IMC auto-referido foi observado em 89,3% dos homens e 80,9% das mulheres. Com isso, concluiu-se que o IMC auto-referido apresentou elevada concordância para avaliação nutricional em homens idosos; contudo, entre as mulheres idosas a utilização das medidas auto-referidas subestimaram a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade.

Insatisfação com a imagem corporal: avaliação comparativa da associação com estado nutricional em universitários

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a associação entre insatisfação com a imagem corporal e dois indicadores de estado nutricional em universitários brasileiros, assim como identificar o melhor preditor de insatisfação com a imagem corporal em universitários brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 256 universitários (128 homens). Foram coletados dados demográficos (sexo e idade), antropométricos (massa corporal, estatura e espessura de dobras cutâneas) e de imagem corporal (silhueta atual e silhueta ideal). O índice de massa corporal (< 18,5 ou ≥ 25,0 kg/m² = inadequado) e o somatório de espessura de cinco dobras cutâneas (≤ 30 ou ≥ 62 e ≤ 43 ou ≥ 76 mm = inadequado, para homens e mulheres, respectivamente) foram derivados subseqüentemente. A análise incluiu estatística descritiva, teste de proporção, qui-quadrado e regressão logística. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos indivíduos foi de 23,1 anos (desvio padrão = 5,3), e a freqüência de insatisfeitos com a imagem corporal foi de 78,8%. A insatisfação com a imagem corporal não se associou ao sexo e ao índice de massa corporal. A análise multivariada demonstrou que a odds ratio associada ao somatório de espessura de cinco dobras cutâneas inadequado foi de 2,56. CONCLUSÃO: O índice de massa corporal não foi determinante de insatisfação com a imagem corporal, enquanto o somatório de espessura de cinco dobras cutâneas mostrou-se um preditor significativo desse distúrbio, independentemente do sexo.

Indicadores antropométricos de excesso de gordura corporal em mulheres

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a sensibilidade, a especificidade e a concordância entre dois indicadores de excesso de gordura em mulheres. Foram avaliadas 65 mulheres (50-77 anos de idade), com massa corporal média de 70,3 ± 11kg, estatura de 158,0 ± 5,5cm, permitindo o cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC) e do recíproco do índice ponderal (RIP). O percentual de gordura, mensurado através da absortometria radiológica de dupla energia (%G DEXA), foi utilizado como o método de referência. A estatística descritiva, a correlação de linear de Pearson (r) e o índice de Kappa (k) foram utilizados para análise dos dados. O IMC, o RIP e o %G DEXA apresentaram escores médios de 28 ± 4,2kg.m-2; 38 ± 1,9cm.kg-1/3; e 38,1 ± 6,0%, respectivamente. A prevalência de excesso de gordura foi de 89,2% para o %G DEXA. O RIP e o IMC apresentaram prevalências de excesso de gordura de 83,1% e 73,8%, respectivamente. Os coeficientes de correlação linear de Pearson entre %G DEXA e o RIP (r = -0,76) e entre %G DEXA e o IMC (r = 0,72) foram significativos (p < 0,01). O índice de Kappa identificou associação de k = 0,31 entre as medidas de %G DEXA e IMC, e de k = 0,48 entre %G DEXA e RIP. Os indicadores antropométricos apresentaram índices de sensibilidade e especificidade altos (IMC = 79,3% e 71,4%; RIP = 90% e 71,4% respectivamente). A análise através da curva ROC (receiver operator characteristic curve) apresentou áreas sobre a curva de 0,80 para o IMC e de 0,83 para o RIP que não diferiram significativamente (p < 0,05). Os pontos de corte de 26,2kg.m-2 para o IMC e 39,3cm.kg-1/3 para o RIP demonstraram a melhor relação entre sensibilidade e especificidade na identificação de excesso de gordura. Assim, conclui-se que os indicadores antropométricos analisados não diferem em relação à identificação de excesso de gordura e que ambos apresentam valores de sensibilidade e especificidade altos na avaliação do excesso de gordura em mulheres acima de 50 anos de idade.