GLIM criteria to identify malnutrition in patients in hospital settings: A systematic review

Malnutrition is recognized as one of the main public health problems in hospitals. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has established a global consensus on the criteria for diagnosing malnutrition in adults in hospital settings. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the GLIM criteria as a tool to identify malnutrition in hospital settings and to compare the prevalence of malnutrition identified by GLIM criteria with that identified by other screening and/or nutrition assessment methods. This was a systematic review. Searches were performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library, based on established descriptors. The included studies were observational and used screening and/or nutrition assessment tools to compare the prevalence of malnutrition and predictive capacity identified by GLIM criteria in patients aged >18 years in hospital settings. Twelve studies were included in this systematic review. A total of 4066 individuals with different pathologies and clinical conditions participated in the included studies. The prevalence of malnutrition, according to the GLIM criteria, ranged from 16% to 80%. In four studies, the prevalence of malnutrition based on GLIM was higher than that based on the other indicators. Six studies that evaluated the predictive ability of GLIM criteria identified satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. Four studies found low to high agreement between GLIM and the other methods. GLIM criteria can identify malnutrition and find a high prevalence and severity of malnutrition in the hospital setting, proving them to be a sensitive and specific instrument, with good agreement between screening and nutrition assessment methods.

Association between phase angle of bioelectrical impedance analysis and nutritional parameters in older adults

Introduction: Phase angle (PhA) is a Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameter representing an indicator of cellular health and has been suggested as a biomarker of nutritional status. Objective: To evaluate the association between PhA and nutritional parameters in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with community-dwelling older adults. Body mass index (BMI), arm muscle circumference (AMC), calf circumference (CC), body fat percentage (BF%), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), serum albumin, mini-nutritional assessment (MNA), and PhA were assessed. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and Poisson regression models were performed. Results: 144 participants were included in the study, and most of them were female, aged ≥80 years, and underweight. Most older adults with lower PhA were women, aged range 80–89 years, and with reduced ASMM (p<0.05). PhA presented a significant correlation with age (r=–0.417; p<0.001), ASMM (r=0.427; p<0.001), AMC (r=0.195; p=0.019) and BF% (r=–0.223; p=0.007). Older adults with lower PhA present reduced ASMM (PR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.04–1.50), and hypoalbuminemia (PR: 1.50; 95%CI: 1.11–2.03). Conclusion: PhA is related to commonly nutritional indicators used in clinical practice and could be an important biomarker of muscle mass reserves in community-living older adults of both sexes.

Associação da espessura do músculo adutor do polegar e indicadores antropométricos em idosos da comunidade

Introdução: A espessura do músculo adutor do polegar (EMAP) tem sido sugerido como um índice de massa muscular e desnutrição. Objetivo: Verificar a associação da EMAP com indicadores antropométricos convencionais em idosos da comunidade. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com 159 idosos da comunidade, de ambos os sexos, com média de idade de 70,9±29,4 anos. Foram avaliados a EMAP, o índice de massa corporal (IMC), as circunferências do braço (CB), muscular do braço (CMB) e da panturrilha (CP). Para classificação da EMAP se considerou o valor do percentil 25 (P25≤9 mm) da amostra para identificar déficit de massa muscular. Teste Qui-quadrado, Correlação de Pearson e Regressão de Poisson foram realizados, sendo adotado um nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados: Entre os homens, a EMAP apresentou correlação com a CB (r=0,350; p<0,01) e entre as mulheres foi com o IMC (r=0,337; p=0,01). Houve associação entre a classificação do IMC e o percentil da EMAP (p=0,020). Os idosos com IMC<23 kg/m² tinham 1,28 vezes mais chances de possuir EMAP≤P25 (p=0,007) e idosos com IMC adequado tinham 1,23 vezes mais chance (p=0,023). Idosos com CP reduzido apresentaram 1,18 vezes mais chance de apresentar EMAP≤P25 (p=0,064). Conclusão: A EMAP apresentou associação com o IMC em idosos, demostrando ser um bom parâmetro para a avaliação da desnutrição.

Overweight and abdominal fat are associated with normal bone mineral density in patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. However, nutritional risk factors for low BMD in the ulcerative colitis (UC) population are still poorly understood.

AIM

To investigate the association of anthropometric indicators and body composition with BMD in patients with UC.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study on adult UC patients of both genders who were followed on an outpatient basis. A control group consisting of healthy volunteers, family members, and close people was also included. The nutritional indicators evaluated were body mass index (BMI), total body mass (TBM), waist circumference (WC), body fat in kg (BFkg), body fat in percentage (BF%), trunk BF (TBF), and also lean mass. Body composition and BMD assessments were performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

The sociodemographic characteristics of patients with UC (n = 68) were similar to those of healthy volunteers (n = 66) (P > 0.05). Most patients (97.0%) were in remission of the disease, 58.8% were eutrophic, 33.8% were overweight, 39.0% had high WC, and 67.6% had excess BF%. However, mean BMI, WC, BFkg, and TBF of UC patients were lower when compared to those of the control group (P < 0.05). Reduced BMD was present in 41.2% of patients with UC (38.2% with osteopenia and 2.9% with osteoporosis) and 3.0% in the control group (P < 0.001). UC patients with low BMD had lower BMI, TBM, and BFkg values than those with normal BMD (P < 0.05). Male patients were more likely to have low BMD (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-3.26). Those with excess weight (PR = 0.43; 95%CI: 0.19-0.97) and high WC (PR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.21-0.94) were less likely to have low BMD.

CONCLUSION

Patients with UC in remission have a high prevalence of metabolic bone diseases. Body fat appears to protect against the development of low BMD in these patients.

Performance of adiposity indicators in predicting metabolic syndrome in older adults

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between some indicators of adiposity and markers of metabolic disorder, evaluate their performance in predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS), and identify their cutoff values among older adults, both in the overall sample and according to sex.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in 159 older men and women. MetS was defined according to the harmonized criteria. The assessments included waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index (C index), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), body mass index (BMI), A body shape index (ABSI), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity.

RESULTS

LAP and WHtR resulted in the largest AUC values (>0.80). In both sexes, the best indicators were LAP, WC, and WHtR. Both LAP and WHtR presented the highest Youden's index values in the overall sample, with cutoff values of approximately 46.9 (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 76.7%) and 0.56 (sensitivity 79.3%, specificity 69.8%), respectively. When analyzed by sex, BMI, WC, WHtR, and LAP yielded the highest Youden's index values for the prediction of MetS in older women.

CONCLUSION

The indicators LAP, WC, and WHtR performed well in identifying the presence of MetS in older women and could be used to individually or collectively assess and monitor MetS.

Performance of adiposity indicators in predicting metabolic syndrome in older adults

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between some indicators of adiposity and markers of metabolic disorder, evaluate their performance in predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS), and identify their cutoff values among older adults, both in the overall sample and according to sex.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in 159 older men and women. MetS was defined according to the harmonized criteria. The assessments included waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index (C index), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), body mass index (BMI), A body shape index (ABSI), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity.

RESULTS

LAP and WHtR resulted in the largest AUC values (>0.80). In both sexes, the best indicators were LAP, WC, and WHtR. Both LAP and WHtR presented the highest Youden's index values in the overall sample, with cutoff values of approximately 46.9 (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 76.7%) and 0.56 (sensitivity 79.3%, specificity 69.8%), respectively. When analyzed by sex, BMI, WC, WHtR, and LAP yielded the highest Youden's index values for the prediction of MetS in older women.

CONCLUSION

The indicators LAP, WC, and WHtR performed well in identifying the presence of MetS in older women and could be used to individually or collectively assess and monitor MetS.

Comparison of Equations to Predict Energy Requirements With Indirect Calorimetry in Hospitalized Patients

BACKGROUND

The accuracy of methods to determine resting energy expenditure (REE) contributes toward the adequate provision of nutrition support to hospitalized patients. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is considered the gold-standard method to determine REE. The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of agreement between the REE measured by IC (REE-IC) and REE estimated by predictive equations in intensive care unit patients.

METHODS

The sample is made up of intensive care unit patients aged >18 years, both male and female, undergoing nutrition therapy. The predictive equations to estimate REE were the Harris Benedict (HB), Ireton Jones (IJ), and practical method (PM). Degree of agreement between REE-predictive equations and REE-IC was analyzed by the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman test.

RESULTS

Average energy obtained by IC was significantly different from HB and IJ equations (P < .001). The HB equation significantly underestimated the REE-IC for body mass index (BMI) classification. Significant concordance was observed between the REE-IC and all estimate equations (P < .05). The IJ equation showed the greatest degree of concordance for BMI classification of underweight (ICC = 0.674; P = .011) and presented the least difference between the averages of the energy when compared with REE-IC (107.8 kcal/d; P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The IJ equation showed better results with IC, with the greatest degree of concordance for BMI classification of underweight. Further research should develop others equations and validate tools to measure energy expenditure for accurate dietary recommendations for hospitalized patients undergoing nutrition therapy.

Indicators of Adiposity Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in the Elderly

BACKGROUND

Adiposity indicators can be used as predictors of cardiovascular risk in the elderly. However, there are only a very few studies that deal with the accuracy of adiposity indicators as predictors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the elderly. We evaluated the performance of adiposity indicators of MS prediction in the elderly.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with 203 elderly people of both genders.

VARIABLES

MS defined by harmonized criteria, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index (CI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and visceral adiposity index (VAI). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity (sens) and specificity (spec).

RESULTS

The WC, WHtR, and LAP indicators showed the highest AUC, with values greater than 0.84. For the general population, WHtR and LAP had the highest Youden index values, identifying a point of approximately 0.55 (sens: 85.6%; spec: 80.4%) for WHtR and 32.3 (sens: 81.1%; spec: 75.0%) for LAP. When analyzed by gender, it was observed that the WC and WHtR had the highest Youden index values for prediction of MS in both genders. The CI and VAI showed the lowest discriminatory power for MS.

CONCLUSION

Both the adiposity indicators, WC and WHtR, as well as LAP, had high accuracy in MS discrimination. Therefore, they are effective in MS assessment in the elderly and during follow-up for individual and collective clinical practice.

Nutritional status of institutionalized elderly Brazilians: a study with the Mini Nutritional Assessment

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nutritional status of elderly living in nursing homes in the city of Salvador, Brazil and associated factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study performed with 359 individuals of both sexes, ages equal or over 60 years old, located in Nursing Homes in the urban area of the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

RESULTS

Regarding nutritional status according to Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 66.3% of the evaluated elderly were malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. When comparing sexes, it has been observed that among men the prevalence of this condition (76.6%) was higher than in women (62.4%). It has been observed, as a result of the multivariate analysis, that only the variable functional capacity for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was statistically significant. There was moderate correlation between MNA and Mini-Mental State Examination (r=0.454; p<0.0001), as well as between MNA and the ADL scale (r=0.569; p<0.0001). There was weak negative correlation between MNA total score and age (r=0.159; p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Malnutrition and malnutrition risk were conditions of remarkable importance, with almost two-thirds of the elderly in this situation. ADL functional capacity must be monitored given their close relationship with the nutritional status of the elderly. An interdisciplinary approach in the context of institutionalization is needed due to the association between nutritional status and variables of different dimensions.

Evaluation of the accuracy of anthropometric clinical indicators of visceral fat in adults and elderly

Background

Visceral obesity is associated with higher occurrence of cardiovascular events. There are few studies about the accuracy of anthropometric clinical indicators, using Computed Tomography (CT) as the gold standard. We aimed to determine the accuracy of anthropometric clinical indicators for discrimination of visceral obesity.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 191 adults and elderly of both sexes. Variables: area of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) identified by CT, Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), Conicity index (C index), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) and Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI). ROC analyzes.

Results

There were a strong correlation between adiposity indicators and VAT area. Higher accuracy of C index and WHtR (AUC≥0.81) than the LAP and the VAI was observed. The higher AUC of LAP and VAI were observed among elderly with areas of 0.88 (CI: 0.766–0.944) and 0.83 (CI: 0.705–0.955) in men and 0.80 (CI: 0.672–0.930) and 0.71 (CI: 0.566–0.856) in women, respectively. The cutoffs of C index were 1.30 in elderly, in both sexes, with sensitivity ≥92%, the LAP ranged from 26.4 to 37.4 in men and from 40.6 to 44.0 in women and the VAI was 1.24 to 1.45 (sens≥76.9%) in men and 1.46 to 1.84 in women.

Conclusion

Both the anthropometric indicators, C Index and WHtR, as well as LAP and VAI had high accuracy in visceral obesity discrimination. So, they are effective in cardiovascular risk assessment and in the follow-up for individual and collective clinical practice.

Hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype: association with metabolic disorders and visceral fat in adults

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of Hypertriglyceridemic waist with metabolic disorders and visceral fat in adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 191 individuals of both sexes. Subjects were grouped according to Waist Circumference (WC) ratings (Men: > 90 cm; Women: > 80 cm) and triglycerides (TG) (> 150 mg/dl) in Group 1 (HTW Phenotype): elevated WC and TG; Group 2 (absence of HTW Phenotype): elevated WC and normal TG or normal WC and elevated TG or normal WC and TG. Metabolic alternations, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and visceral/subcutaneous fat index (VF/SF) measured by computed tomography were evaluated as cardiovascu - lar risk factors between the groups.

RESULTS

Individuals with HTW phenotype, 82% had three or more cardiovascular risk factors. The association between cardiovascular risk factors with HTW phenotype revealed that among men 73.7% had hypercholesterolemia, 94.9% elevated non-HDLc and 78.9% excess of VAT area (p = 0.001). Among women, 65% had elevated Sistolic Blood Plessure, 80% hypercholesterolemia and 90% elevated non-HDLc (p < 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The HTW phenotype associated with the metabolic alternations and VAT excess. Individuals with HTW had higher number of cardiovascular risk factors. The Hypertriglyceridemic waist can be used in clinical practice for investigating cardiovascular risk and visceral adipose tissue in individuals.

Discriminatory power of indicators predictors of visceral adiposity evaluated by computed tomography in adults and elderly individuals

INTRODUCTION

Identifying anthropometric methods of abdominal adiposity, predictors of excess area of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) allows rapid and low cost evaluation for the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the discriminatory power of anthropometric indicators for detection of excess of the area of VAT.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study comprising 194 adults and elderly individuals for comparison of both sexes and age groups. Anthropometric variables: waist-to-height Ratio (WHtR), waist-tothigh Ratio (WTR), Abdominal Diameter Index (ADI) and Sagittal Abdominal Diameter Height Index (SAD/Height). The VAT area was identified by computed tomography (CT). Analysis with the ROC curve.

RESULTS

There was a high correlation between the VAT area and most of the anthropometric indicators (p ≤0.001). Among elderly men, WHtR showed areas under the ROC curve over 0.90 and cutoff of 0.55 (sens: 85.7%; spec: 82.4%, PPV: 99.9%). For older women, the WHtR cutoff was 0.58 (sens: 81.0%; spec: 78.6%). For the SAD/Height, the areas under the ROC curve were ≥0.83 (p ≤0.01), with cutoffs of 0.12 for men and 0.13 for women.

CONCLUSION

There was a strong discriminatory power of the anthropometric indicators abdominal visceral obesity. The WHtR and SAD/Height showed better performance to predict the VAT area of risk in elderly, without the need of measuring it by computed tomography.

Bioimpedância elétrica e gordura visceral: uma comparação com a tomografia computadorizada em adultos e idosos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre bioimpedância elétrica (BIA) e gordura visceral (GV) em adultos e idosos. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, 191 indivíduos (52% mulheres, 49% idosos), estratificados por sexo, grupo etário e massa corporal. Obtiveram-se dados sobre tomografia computadorizada (área de GV) e BIA (percentual de gordura corporal total (%GCT-BIA), ângulo de fase, reactância e resistência). Análise estatística: Coeficiente de Correlação de Pearson, Anova, Qui-quadrado de Pearson, Curva ROC. RESULTADOS: Áreas de GV > 130 cm² foram mais observadas em idosos e em homens. Entre as mulheres adultas, mostrou-se correlação mais forte entre GV e %GCT-BIA. Os demais grupos apresentaram resultados semelhantes e correlações estatisticamente significantes. As correlações entre GV e ângulo de fase foram fracas e sem significância estatística. As análises da Curva ROC indicaram os seguintes %GCT-BIA que identificaram excesso de GV: homens: 21,5% (adultos), 24,25% (idosos); mulheres: 35,05% (adultas), 38,45% (idosas), com sensibilidade de 78,6%, 82,1%, 83,3%, 66,7% e especificidade de 70,6%, 62,5%, 79,1%, 69%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: BIA apresentou satisfatória sensibilidade e especificidade para predizer GV, entretanto, outros aparelhos e técnicas devem ser investigados para melhorar essa predição.

Bioimpedância elétrica e sua aplicação em avaliação nutricional

A busca por métodos de estimativa da composição corporal é uma preocupação constante da comunidade científica, com vistas à obtenção de um acurado diagnóstico do estado nutricional de indivíduos e populações. A bioimpedância elétrica tem sido uma alternativa atraente na avaliação da composição corporal, pela possibilidade de se trabalhar com equipamento não invasivo, portátil, de fácil manuseio, boa reprodutibilidade e, portanto, viável para a prática clínica e para estudos epidemiológicos. Sua utilização, que tem como finalidade determinar o fracionamento da composição corporal, tem sido apontada como uma técnica capaz de superar alguns desafios encontrados em outros métodos para avaliar o estado nutricional. Entre os componentes da bioimpedância elétrica, o ângulo de fase consiste em uma ferramenta cada vez mais utilizada na prática clínica, sendo estudado como indicador prognóstico e de estado nutricional. Esse ângulo indica alterações na composição corporal e na função da membrana celular, portanto, no estado de saúde de indivíduos. Dada a carência de estudos brasileiros sobre determinadas aplicações da bioimpedância elétrica, a proposta deste estudo, buscando contribuir com a literatura, é traçar um panorama sobre o emprego dessa técnica e, ainda, apresentar trabalhos que a comparam com outros métodos de avaliação nutricional e composição corporal.

Methods of predicting visceral fat in Brazilian adults and older adults: a comparison between anthropometry and computerized tomography

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is linked with the metabolic consequences of obesity, being necessary the use alternative methods of predicting this type of fat, like anthropometry. The objective of this study was assess the performance of anthropometry in predicting visceral fat measured with computerized tomography in adults and older adults. Study transversal with 197 individuals underwent computerized tomography (CT) and anthropometry. The variables analized were: visceral adipose tissue area by CT, Sagittal Abdominal Diameter (SAD), Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR). A descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and ROC curve were carried out. We observed Correlations higher than 0.7 (p = 0.000) between the SAD, WC and the VAT area were found in adult men and older men and in adult women. WHR displayed the least correlations. The most sensitive and specific SAD cut-off points were equal for all the men (Adults: 20.2 cm/Older adults: 20.2 cm) but different for the women (Adults: 21.0 cm; sens.: 83.3; spec.: 79.1/Older adults: 19.9 cm; sens.: 81.0; spec.:79.3). The WC cutoff points that identified a VAT area = 130 cm2 were 90.2 cm and 92.2 cm for men (adult men--sens.: 86.7; spec.: 86.1--and older men-sens.: 79.3; spec.: 77.8 -respectively), while for women the recorded values were 92.3 cm (adult women--sens.: 83.3; spec: 81.4) and 88.2 cm (older women--sens.:76.2; spec.: 69.0). This study showed that WC and SAD achieved the best performance in the identification of visceral fat considered at risk for the development of cardiometabolic diseases in adults and older adults.