REDUCED HAND GRIP STRENGTH IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE CHRONIC HEPATITIS C PATIENTS

Field-Based Estimates of Muscle Quality Index Determine Timed-Up-and-Go Test Performance in Obese Older Women

Objective

The muscle quality index (MQI) is associated with numerous health outcomes in adults; however, the effects of distinct MQI on functional capacity in obese older women have not yet been fully investigated. Thus, we investigated the contribution of different muscle quality indices on TUG performance prediction in obese older women. We secondarily evaluated the association between MQI, aerobic capacity performance (Treadmill performance and 6-minute walk test), and obesity indices (BMI, body fat percentage, and neck, waist, and hip circumference).

Methods

Participants included 64 obese older women (mean age 67.05 ± 5.46 years, body fat ≥ 35%). General anthropometric, health history, body composition, treadmill exercise, and functional test (Time up and go) measures were collected. A hydraulic dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength, and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to identify body fat percentage. The field MQI was defined as the highest reading divided by the subject's body mass index (BMI), while the laboratory MQI was obtained by the ratio of grip strength to the entire arm muscle in kilograms measured by DXA. A hierarchical multiple regression was performed to predict TUG-test performance.

Results

An increase in field MQI of one unit is associated with a decrease of 2.59 seconds in the TUG test (β = -0.540; p = 0.004). There was no association between laboratory MQI and TUG performance (β = 0.067; p = 0.712). Furthermore, field MQI displays a positive correlation (p < 0.05) with aerobic capacity performance (6-minute walk test and peak O₂ consumption) and a negative correlation (p < 0.05) with diverse obesity indices (neck and waist circumference, body fat, and BMI).

Conclusion

MQI displayed an important prediction with TUG-test, a positive correlation with aerobic capacity, and a negative correlation with obesity indices.

Nutritional assessment in patients with liver cirrhosis

Malnutrition is a liver cirrhosis complication affecting more than 20%-50% of patients. Although the term can refer to either nutrient deficiency or excess, it usually relates to undernutrition in cirrhosis settings. Frailty is defined as limited physical function due to muscle weakness, whereas sarcopenia is defined as muscle mass loss and an advanced malnutrition stage. The pathogenesis of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis is multifactorial, including decreased oral intake, maldigestion/malabsorption, physical inactivity, hyperammonemia, hypermetabolism, altered macronutrient metabolism and gut microbiome dysbiosis. Patients with chronic liver disease with a Body Mass Index of < 18.5 kg/m² and/or decompensated cirrhosis or Child-Pugh class C are at the highest risk of malnutrition. For patients at risk of malnutrition, a detailed nutritional assessment is required, typically including a history and physical examination, laboratory testing, global assessment tools and body composition testing. The latter can be done using anthropometry, cross-sectional imaging including computed tomography or magnetic resonance, bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A multidisciplinary team should screen for and treat malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis. Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with an increased risk of complications and a poor prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis; thus, it is critical to diagnose these conditions early and initiate the appropriate nutritional therapy. In this review, we describe the prevalence and pathogenesis of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis patients and discuss the best diagnostic approach to nutritional assessment for them.

Malnutrition in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is an increasing public health threat worldwide. Malnutrition is a serious complication of cirrhosis and is associated with worse outcomes. With this review, we aim to describe the prevalence of malnutrition, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets to treat malnutrition. Malnutrition is frequently underdiagnosed and occurs-depending on the screening methods used and patient populations studied-in 5-92% of patients. Decreased energy and protein intake, inflammation, malabsorption, altered nutrient metabolism, hypermetabolism, hormonal disturbances and gut microbiome dysbiosis can contribute to malnutrition. The stepwise diagnostic approach includes a rapid prescreen, the use of a specific screening tool, such as the Royal Free Hospital Nutritional Prioritizing Tool and a nutritional assessment by dieticians. General dietary measures-especially the timing of meals-oral nutritional supplements, micronutrient supplementation and the role of amino acids are discussed. In summary malnutrition in cirrhosis is common and needs more attention by health care professionals involved in the care of patients with cirrhosis. Screening and assessment for malnutrition should be carried out regularly in cirrhotic patients, ideally by a multidisciplinary team. Further research is needed to better clarify pathogenic mechanisms such as the role of the gut-liver-axis and to develop targeted therapeutic strategies.

Neck circumference in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: High neck circumference (NC) is associated with high burden diseases in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC). NC complements established anthropometric measurements for early identification of cardio-metabolic and other illnesses. However, evidence about NC has not been systematically studied in LAC. We aimed to estimate the mean NC and the prevalence of high NC in LAC.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review in MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and LILACS. Search results were screened and studied by two reviewers independently. To assess risk of bias of individual studies, we used the Hoy et al. scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results: In total, 182 abstracts were screened, 96 manuscripts were reviewed and 85 studies (n= 51,978) were summarized. From all the summarized studies, 14 were conducted in a sample of the general population, 23 were conducted with captive populations and 49 studies were conducted with patients. The pooled mean NC in the general population was 35.69 cm (95% IC: 34.85cm-36.53cm; I²: 99.6%). In our patient populations, the pooled mean NC in the obesity group was 42.56cm (95% CI 41.70cm-43.42cm; I²: 92.40%). Across all studied populations, there were several definitions of high NC; thus, prevalence estimates were not comparable. The prevalence of high NC ranged between 37.00% and 57.69% in the general population. The methodology to measure NC was not consistently reported.

Conclusions: Mean NC in LAC appears to be in the range of estimates from other world regions. Inconsistent methods and definitions hamper cross-country comparisons and time trend analyses. There is a need for consistent and comparable definitions of NC so that it can be incorporated as a standard anthropometric indicator in surveys and epidemiological studies.

Obesity, dynapenia and high cardiovascular risk co-exist in post-liver transplant setting: results of a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in post-liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to evaluate LT patients as to the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and its association with nutritional status, dietary intake, metabolic profile and cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, adult patients with more than 12 months of post-transplant follow-up underwent clinical, laboratory, functional and nutritional evaluation by 3-day-diet-record, anthropometry and dynamometry. CIMT was evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine post-LT patients [males 61%, median of age 59 (51-64) years were included; median time post-liver transplantation 2.8 (1.4-6.3) years]. High prevalence of malnutrition was found (45% of arm muscle area < p15 and 71% of handgrip strength < p30). Excess weight was present in 72% of patients, body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m² in 35% and metabolic syndrome in 51%. Abnormal CIMT was found in 54% of the sample. Patients with abnormal CIMT presented higher cardiovascular risk Score, LDL cholesterol, higher prevalence of high-sensitive C-reactive protein ≥ 1 mg/L and higher intake of saturated and trans fatty acids (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal IMT was commonly found in LT patients presenting at the same time with overweight and dynapemia. These results were associated with higher LDL-cholesterol levels, high-sensitive C-reactive protein ≥ 1 mg/L and higher intake of saturated and trans fatty acids. Preventive measures, including dietary advice, are required for all post-liver transplantation patients to minimize cardiovascular risk.

Randomized controlled trial protocol: A quanti-quali approach for analyzing the results of an intervention on the waiting list for bariatric surgery

ABSTRACT Objective This article aims to describe the protocol of a randomized clinical trial and the baseline results of the study of a one-year interdisciplinary intervention in users of the public health system in the bariatric surgery waiting list. Methods A randomized, single-blind clinical trial will be conducted including 88 participants recruited on an outpatient clinic of the public health system. Participants were randomized into the control group (n=44), receiving the usual treatment; and into the intervention group (n=44), participating in the educational intervention. Participants had their food intake, negative affectivity and physical inactivity/sedentary behavior assessed, as well as anthropometric and body composition measurements; their blood samples were collected; and also had different physical capacity tests. Results Of the 157 participants invited, 27 had severe functional limitations, one was under-age, and four declined the study due to associated diseases. Eighty-eight participants were randomized: 44 for the Control Group and 44 for the Intervention Group. When comparing the demographic and biochemical characteristics, there were no differences between groups except for serum glucose (GC=110.4±46.8mg/dL and GI93.1±16.9mg/dL, p=0.039). Conclusion This study protocol describes the methodology used in the study of educational intervention for the promotion of health care of patients on the waiting list for bariatric surgery. It shows that there is similarity between the baseline comparison groups. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry), RBR-775y3d.