Reevaluating nutrition as a risk factor for cardio-metabolic diseases

Health-Related Quality of Life, Blood Pressure, and Biochemical and Anthropometric Profile in Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians

Several studies have been carried out which mainly focus on the analysis of the lipid profile in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. However, few studies have been undertaken in this population oriented to quality of life and health. This study aimed to compare health-related quality of life, blood pressure, and biochemical and anthropometric profile in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. The study included 149 participants out of an initial sample of 162: 62 vegetarians and 87 nonvegetarians. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the SF-12 Health Questionnaire version 2 and was related with the lipid profile, glucose, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and sociodemographic characteristics. Vegetarians presented better Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as well as higher LDL levels. No significant differences in HDL and TG concentrations were found. Serum glucose concentrations were significantly lower among vegetarians. Nonvegetarian males had higher diastolic pressure levels. Vegetarian women had significantly higher levels of systolic pressure. As for the physical health and mental health components of quality of life, no significant differences were found in vegetarian and nonvegetarian women and men. In conclusion, vegetarians presented a better anthropometric profile, lower glycaemia, and higher LDL levels but no significant differences in health-related quality of life compared with nonvegetarians.

Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with symptomatic coronary artery disease in patients in secondary care

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) is a tool for insulin resistance evaluation, however, little is known about its association with coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the major cardiovascular death cause, and what factors may be associated with TyG index.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between the TyG index and the prevalence of CAD phases, as well as cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

The baseline data of patients in secondary care in cardiology from Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial (BALANCE Program Trial) were analyzed. Anthropometric, clinical, socio-demographic and food consumption data were collected by trained professionals. The TyG index was calculated by the formula: Ln (fasting triglycerides (mg/dl) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dl)/2) and regression models were used to evaluate the associations.

RESULTS

We evaluated 2330 patients, which the majority was male (58.1%) and elderly (62.1%). The prevalence of symptomatic CAD was 1.16 times higher in patients classified in the last tertile of the TyG index (9.9 ± 0.5) compared to those in the first tertile (8.3 ± 0.3). Cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with TyG index, with the highlight for higher carbohydrate and lower lipid consumption in relation to recommendations that reduced the chance of being in the last TyG index tertile.

CONCLUSION

The TyG index was positively associated with a higher prevalence of symptomatic CAD, with metabolic and behavioral risk factors, and could be used as a marker for atherosclerosis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01620398. Registered 15 June, 2012.

Manejo interprofesoral de las enfermedades cardiovasculares

Se conocen como enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) al infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), el accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) isquémico o hemorrágico y la enfermedad vascular periférica, también conocidas como enfermedades vasculares ateroscleróticas, pues tienen en común que el proceso fisiopatológico básico es el desarrollo de aterosclerosis en la vasculatura que irriga a los órganos afectados. El IAM y ACV son eventos agudos que se deben principalmente a obstrucciones en los vasos, las cuales se presentan cuando se produce ruptura de una placa aterosclerótica ocasionando un cuadro de atero-trombosis, fenómeno que explica la sintomatología de los eventos agudos. Actualmente las ECV se constituyen en la primera causa de morbi-mortalidad en todo el mundo, ocasionando que cada año mueran más personas por estas enfermedades que por cualquier otra causa. Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), anualmente 17,5 millones de personas en el mundo, es decir el 31% de las defunciones totales mueren a causa de alguna ECV, siendo que 7,4 millones se debe a IAM y 6,7 millones AVC.  Las ECV son consideradas al momento como una epidemia global que afecta a individuos de todos los países, independientemente de sus ingresos económicos, pero que han tenido un gran incremento en los países de ingresos medianos y bajos, afectando casi por igual a ambos sexos. Actualmente las ECV en su conjunto son la principal causa de muerte en Colombia, con el IAM ocasionando el 17% de la mortalidad general, tanto en hombres como en mujeres, seguida por el ACV y las enfermedades hipertensivas.Como citar este artículo: Lopez-Jaramillo P, Rueda-García D. Manejo interprofesoral de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Rev Cuid. 2019; 10(2): e756. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.v10i2.756