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. Kolmogorov­Smirnov 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 80­89 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: 1.04­1.50), and hypoalbuminemia (PR: 1.50; 95%CI: 1.11­2.03). 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.

Association of adductor pollicis muscle thickness and anthropometric indicators in community older adults / Associação da espessura do músculo adutor do polegar e indicadores antropométricos em idosos da comunidade

INTRODUCTION: The measurement of the adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) has been investigated as an index for muscle mass and undernutrition. OBJECTIVE: However, there are few studies related to community-living older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out with community-dwelling older adults, of both sexes. The APMT, the body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle circumference (AMC), and calf circumference (CC) were evaluated. For APMT classification, the 25th percentile value (P25 ≤9 mm) of the sample was considered to identify muscle mass deficit. Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation, and Poisson regression were performed, with a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: Among men, APMT showed a correlation with AC (r=0.350; p<0.01), and among women it was with BMI (r=0.337; p=0.01). There was an association between the BMI classification and the APMT percentile (p=0.020). Older adults with BMI<23 kg/m² were 1.28 times more likely to have APMT≤P25 (p=0.007) and older adults with adequate BMI were 1.23 times more likely (p=0.023). Older adults with reduced CC have a 1.18 times more chance of presenting APMT≤P25 (p=0.064). CONCLUSION: APMT has been associated with BMI in older adults, proving to be a good parameter for the assessment of malnutrition.

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.