Prevalence of Malnutrition and Its Association with Clinical Complications in Hospitalized Cardiac Patients: Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background Malnutrition can affect the clinical course of hospitalized patients, increasing hospital stay, infections, mortality, and hospital costs. Among heart disease patients, the malnutrition prevalence ranges from 25 to 51.9%. Objective To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and its association with clinical complications in cardiac patients admitted to a cardiology hospital. Method Retrospective cohort study with patients evaluated within 48 hours of admission to the ward of a referral center for cardiology in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Patients were aged 18 years or older. Malnutrition was assessed by Subjective Global Assessment. Length of hospital stay, transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), hospital discharge and in-hospital death were collected from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 22.0 program. Comparisons between groups with and without malnutrition were made by unpaired Student's t-test and chi-square test with adjusted residuals, and multivariate Poisson regression used for analysis of outcomes. The significance level considered was 5%. Results We evaluated 130 patients aged 63 ± 13 years, 63% were male, and the most frequent cause of hospitalization was angina (25%). The prevalence of malnutrition was 27% and, after statistical adjustment for age, malnutrition was positively associated with ICU transfer and length of hospital stay longer than seven days. Conclusion The prevalence of malnutrition found in this sample was 27% and this nutritional diagnosis was positively associated with ICU transfer and length of hospital stay longer than seven days. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Consumo alimentar de indivíduos com ortorexia e sua relação com nível de atividade física / Food consumption of individuals with ortorexia and its relationship with physical activity level

Objetivo: Comparar o consumo alimentar entre indivíduos identificados com e sem ortorexia, e suas diferenças em relação ao nível de atividade física. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com uma amostra de 59 indivíduos adultos (30 mulheres e 29 homens), com idade entre 18 e 50 anos, de ambos os sexos. Os participantes foram avaliados e divididos segundo nível e tipo de atividade física (fisicamente ativos: > 150min de exercício por semana). A presença de ortorexia foi avaliada pelo questionário ORTO-15, e o consumo alimentar avaliado por recordatório habitual de um dia. A análise estatística foi feita por teste t Student ou U de Mann-Whitney, para comparação entre os grupos com e sem ortorexia. A comparação dos dados descritos como frequências absolutas e percentuais foi realizada por qui-quadrado. Resultados: A média de idade dos indivíduos avaliados foi de 31, 2 ± 8,9 anos. Houve prevalência de ortorexia de 78%, sendo maior nos indivíduos fisicamente ativos (86% vs 65%; p=0,05). Indivíduos com ortorexia consumiam mais proteínas em relação às gramas por dia, por kg, percentual do valor energético total e kcal (p<0,05); e tinham um consumo mais baixo de carboidratos em relação ao percentual do valor energético total (p<0,05), em comparação aos sem ortorexia. Esse padrão se manteve significativo apenas dentro do grupo fisicamente ativo. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a ortorexia pode estar associada à prática de exercício físico e a um comportamento alimentar com maior consumo de proteínas e baixo em carboidratos. (AU)

Objective: To compare food consumption among individuals identified with or without orthorexia, and their differences in relation to the level of physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 59 adult individuals (30 women and 29 men), aged between 18 and 50 years, of both sexes. Participants were assessed and divided about level and type of physical activity (physically active: >150min of exercise per week). Presence of orthorexia was evaluated by ORTO-15 questionnaire, and food consumption was evaluated by a usual one-day recall. Statistical analysis was done by T-Student or Mann-Whitney U Test for comparison between groups with and without orthorexia. Comparison of data described as absolute and percentage frequencies was performed by chi-square. Results: The mean age of the sample evaluated was 31.2 ± 8.9 years. There was a prevalence of orthorexia of 78%, being higher in physically active individuals (86% versus 65%, p = 0.05). Individuals with orthorexia consumed more protein in relation to grams per day, kg, percentage of total energy value and kcal (p <0.05); and had lower intake of carbohydrates than the percentage of total energy value (p <0.05), compared to those without orthorexia. This pattern remained significant only in the physically active group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that orthorexia may be associated with physical exercise and eating behavior with higher intakes of protein and low carbohydrates. (AU)

Safety and results of bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Abstract Objective: To analyze the dual interference between cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Methods: Forty-three individuals admitted for CIEDs implantation were submitted to a tetrapolar BIA with an alternating current at 800 microA and 50 kHz frequency before and after the devices' implantation. During BIA assessment, continuous telemetry was maintained between the device programmer and the CIEDs in order to look for evidence of possible electric interference in the intracavitary signal of the device. Results: BIA in patients with CIEDs was safe and not associated with any device malfunction or electrical interference in the intracardiac electrogram of any electrode. After the implantation of the devices, there were significant reductions in BIA measurements of resistance, reactance, and measurements adjusted for height resistance and reactance, reflecting an increase (+ 1 kg; P<0.05) in results of total body water and extracellular water in liter and, consequently, increases in fat-free mass (FFM) and extracellular mass in kg. Because of changes in the hydration status and FFM values, without changes in weight, fat mass was significantly lower (-1.2 kg; P<0.05). Conclusion: BIA assessment in patients with CIEDs was safe and not associated with any device malfunction. The differences in BIA parameters might have occurred because of modifications on the patients' body composition, associated to their hydration status, and not to the CIEDs.

Prega cutânea tricipital como preditor prognóstico na insuficiência cardíaca ambulatorial / Triceps skinfold as a prognostic predictor in outpatient heart failure

FUNDAMENTO: A maioria dos estudos relatando o paradoxo da obesidade utiliza índice de massa corporal (IMC) para classificar obesidade. Dados avaliando o valor prognóstico de outras medidas indiretas de composição corporal são pouco explorados na insuficiência cardíaca (IC). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre IMC e outras medidas de composição corporal indiretas com risco de morte por todas as causas na IC. MÉTODOS: Parâmetros antropométricos de composição corporal foram avaliados em 344 pacientes ambulatoriais com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) < 50%, de uma coorte prospectiva seguida durante 30 ± 8,2 meses. A sobrevida foi avaliada por curvas de Kaplan-Meier e análise de regressão de risco proporcional de Cox. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes eram predominantemente do sexo masculino, de etiologia não-isquêmica e com disfunção sistólica do VE moderada a grave (FEVE média de 32 ± 9%). Prega cutânea tricipital (PCT) foi o único parâmetro antropométrico associado com prognóstico, com valores significativamente menores nos pacientes que morreram (p = 0,047). Uma PCT > 20 mm estava presente em 9% dos pacientes que morreram e em 22% dos vivos (p = 0,027). Na análise univariada, creatinina sérica, FEVE e classe funcional foram associadas ao risco de morte. Na regressão de Cox, PCT > 20 mm foi o preditor independente mais forte de mortalidade por qualquer causa (hazard ratio: 0,36; IC 95%: 0,13-0,97; p = 0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Embora IMC seja o parâmetro antropométrico mais utilizado na prática clínica, nossos resultados sugerem que PCT pode ser um melhor preditor de mortalidade em pacientes ambulatoriais com IC.

BACKGROUND: Most reports regarding the obesity paradox have focused on body mass index (BMI) to classify obesity and the prognostic values of other indirect measurements of body composition remain poorly examined in heart failure (HF). Objective: To evaluate the association between BMI and other indirect, but easily accessible, body composition measurements associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in HF. METHODS: Anthropometric parameters of body composition were assessed in 344 outpatients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <50% from a prospective HF cohort that was followed-up for 30 ± 8.2 months. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: HF patients were predominantly male, of non-ischemic etiology, and had moderate to severe LV systolic dysfunction (mean LVEF = 32 ± 9%). Triceps skinfold (TSF) was the only anthropometric index that was associated with HF prognosis and had significantly lower values in patients who died (p = 0.047). A TSF > 20 mm was present in 9% of patients that died and 22% of those who survived (p = 0.027). Univariate analysis showed that serum creatinine level, LVEF, and NYHA class were associated with the risk of death, while Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that TSF > 20 was a strong independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.97, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Although BMI is the most widely used anthropometric parameter in clinical practice, our results suggested that TSF is a better predictive marker of mortality in HF outpatients.

Avaliação nutricional, consumo alimentar e risco para doenças cardiovasculares de crianças praticantes de natação / Nutritional assessment, food consumption and cardiovascular risk in child swimmers

Introdução: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) destacam-se, nos dias atuais, como a mais frequente causa de mortalidade, inclusive na infância. Dentre os fatores de risco para DCV estão o alto consumo de gorduras saturadas, trans, colesterol, como também o excesso de peso e gordura corporal. Objetivo: avaliar o estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de crianças praticantes de natação de um clube esportivo. Métodos: A avaliação nutricional foi realizada por meio de antropometria, utilizando-se: peso, estatura, dobra cutânea triciptal (DCT), subescapular (DCSE), circunferência abdominal (CA) e cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). O percentual de gordura corporal (%GC) foi determinado através da soma da DCT e da DCSE. Para avaliar o consumo alimentar utilizou-se o Questionário Simplificado para Avaliação de Risco Cardiovascular (QRC) que identifica a frequência de consumo de 9 alimentos ricos em gorduras. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 204 crianças, 59% do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 8±2 anos. Quando classificados, 30,4% apresentavam-se com excesso de peso de acordo com o IMC, 26% tinham CA aumentada e 41% apresentaram alto consumo de alimentos que aumentam o risco cardiovascular. De acordo com a classificação do %GC, 11% foram classificados como muito alto para a idade, com diferença significativa entre os sexos (P<0,05), sendo que o sexo feminino teve maior número de crianças classificadas como muito alto. Conclusão: Embora pratiquem atividade física regular, as crianças estudadas apresentaram alta prevalência de excesso de peso e alto consumo de alimentos que aumentam o risco cardiovascular.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) stand out, today, as the most frequent cause of mortality, even in childhood. Among risk factors for CVD are high consumption of saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, as well as excess weight and body fat. Aim: Assess the nutritional status and intake of child swimmers of a sport club. Methods: The nutritional assesment was evaluated by antropometry, using: weight, height, triciptal (TS) and subscapular skinfold (SS), abdominal circumference (AC) and Body Mass Index (BMI). To assess food intake, we used the Simplified Questionnaire for Assessing Cardiovascular Risk (SCR) that identifies the frequency of consumption of 9 fat-rich foods. Results: We evaluated 204 children, 59% male, with mean age 8±2 years. When classified, 30.4% presented with excess weight according to BMI, 26% had increased waist circunference and 41% had high intake of foods that increase cardiovascular risk. According to the classification of body fat percentage (BF%), 11% were classified as having very high BF% for their age, with significant difference between sexes (P<0.05), and females had a greater number of children classified as having very high BF%. Conclusion: In spite of practicing regular physical activity, the swimmers studied showed a high prevalence of overweight and high intake of foods that increase cardiovascular risk.