Associations of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease risk with body mass index in older Chinese adults: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for disease. Controversy exists regarding the relative risk of morbidity and mortality in individuals who are overweight or underweight compared with individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI). In this study, we investigated the associations between BMI and three non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes and heart disease) in older adults. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The baseline survey was carried out in 2011, and follow-up surveys were conducted in 2013, 2015 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS: Participants who reported having no doctor-diagnosed chronic disease at baseline were included in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We analysed the association between baseline BMI and disease incidence using Cox proportional hazards models. Disease information included self-reported diagnosed conditions. BMI was categorised according to the standard Chinese criteria: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal body weight (18.5-23.9 kg/m2), overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥28.0 kg/m2). RESULTS: A total of 5605 participants were included at baseline. Based on the Kaplan-Meier estimation, the participants who were obese had the highest incidence of all three diseases. Compared with normal weight participants, overweight participants had a greater disease incidence (log-rank tests are p<0.01). Cox regression models showed that with increasing BMI, the HRs of diseases increased accordingly (eg, for hypertension, compared with the BMI group <18.5 kg/m2, the HRs for the BMI groups 18.5-23.9, 24.0-27.9 and ≥28.0 were 1.43 (95% CI 1.00 to 2.05), 2.19 (95% CI 1.51 to 3.18) and 2.89 (95% CI 1.91 to 4.36), respectively). CONCLUSION: A higher BMI was associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease in the population aged 45 years and older. Even within normal BMI ranges, a higher BMI was associated with an increased risk of disease. Actions are urgently needed at the population level to address the growing public health challenge of excess weight in the context of an ageing population.

Longitudinal association between Body mass index (BMI), BMI trajectories and the risk of frailty among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether BMI categories and BMI trajectories were longitudinally associated with frailty in older adults via systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. METHOD: 3 databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science) were systematically searched from inception to 8 September 2023. Two independent reviewers extracted data and appraised study quality. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were pooled using random-effects models. RESULTS: 7 prospective cohort studies with 23043 participants were included in final BMI categories analyses, and 3 studies included BMI trajectory(23725 individuals). Compared with normal weight, we found a positive association between obesity (odds ratios(OR) = 1.74, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.21-2.51, P = 0.003), underweight (OR = 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.13-2.57, P = 0.011) and frailty in older adults. In middle age subgroup, compared with normal weight, OR of 2.21 (95 % CI: 1.44-3.38;I2 = 0 %) for overweight and OR of 5.20 (95 % CI: 2.56-10.55; I2 = 0 %) for obesity were significantly associated with frailty. In old age subgroup, compared with normal weight, only OR of 1.41 (95 % CI: 1.13-1.77; I2 = 65 %) for obesity was significantly associated with frailty. The results of BMI trajectories found that decreasing BMI (OR = 3.25, 95 % CI: 2.20-4.79, P < 0.0001) and consistently high BMI (OR = 3.66, 95 % CI: 2.03-6.61, P < 0.0001) increase the risk of frailty compared to consistently normal or overweight. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity in middle age were associated with significantly higher frailty in older adults, while obesity and underweight in old age were associated with relatively higher frailty in older adults. Early weight control may be beneficial for old age.

Body mass index is associated with clinical outcomes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Association between body mass index (BMI) and prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains uncertain. We investigated the association between BMI and clinical outcomes in patients with IPF using national health claims data. The study included 11,826 patients with IPF and rare incurable disease exemption codes (mean age: 68.9 years, male: 73.8%) and available BMI data who visited medical institutions between January 2002 and December 2018. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association of BMI with all-cause mortality and hospitalization. Based on BMI, 3.1%, 32.8%, 27.8%, and 36.4% were classified as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed independent associations of overweight (hazard ratio [HR] 0.856, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.801-0.916) and underweight (HR 1.538, 95% CI 1.347-1.757) with mortality in patients with IPF. Similarly, overweight (HR 0.887, 95% CI 0.834-0.943) and underweight (HR 1.265, 95% CI 1.104-1.449) were also associated with hospitalization in patients with IPF in the multivariable analysis. Spline HR curve analysis adjusted for all covariates revealed a non-linear relationship between BMI and mortality in patients with IPF. Our data suggest that BMI is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with IPF.

Impact of body mass index at diagnosis on outcomes of pediatric acute leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of childhood malnutrition i.e., both obesity and undernutrition, is on a rise. While there is extensive evidence of the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the survival and other important outcomes of adult cancers, the impact of childhood BMI on one of the common pediatric cancers i.e., leukemia is not well studied. METHODS: Systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was done to identify studies that were conducted among pediatric patients with leukemia and had examined outcomes of interest based on BMI at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Effect sizes were reported as pooled hazards ratio (HR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 17 studies were included. Compared to pediatric leukemia patients with normal BMI, underweight (HR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.11) and obese (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.71) children with leukemia had higher risks of overall mortality. Underweight (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.19) and obese (HR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.55) pediatric leukemia patients had a tendency to lower event-free survival compared to children with normal BMI. The risk of relapse was not significant for underweight, overweight, and obese children. CONCLUSIONS: Both underweight and obese status at the time of diagnosis were associated with poor survival outcomes in pediatric patients with leukemia.

Association between body mass index and results of cryoballoon ablation in Korean patients with atrial fibrillation: an analysis from the Korean Heart Rhythm Society Cryoablation registry.

AIMS: Pulmonary vein isolation using cryoablation is effective and safe in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although both obesity and underweight are associated with a higher risk for incident AF, there is limited data on the efficacy and safety following cryoablation according to body mass index (BMI) especially in Asians. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Korean Heart Rhythm Society Cryoablation registry, a multicentre registry of 12 tertiary hospitals, we analysed AF recurrence and procedure-related complications after cryoablation by BMI (kg/m2) groups (BMI < 18.5, underweight, UW; 18.5-23, normal, NW; 23-25, overweight, OW; 25-30, obese Ⅰ, OⅠ; ≥30, obese Ⅱ, OⅡ). A total of 2648 patients were included (median age 62.0 years; 76.7% men; 55.6% non-paroxysmal AF). Patients were categorized by BMI groups: 0.9% UW, 18.7% NW, 24.8% OW, 46.1% OI, and 9.4% OII. Underweight patients were the oldest and had least percentage of non-paroxysmal AF (33.3%). During a median follow-up of 1.7 years, atrial arrhythmia recurred in 874 (33.0%) patients (incidence rate, 18.9 per 100 person-years). After multivariable adjustment, the risk of AF recurrence was higher in UW group compared with NW group (adjusted hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval; 2.55, 1.18-5.50, P = 0.02). Procedure-related complications occurred in 123 (4.7%) patients, and the risk was higher for UW patients (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval; 2.90, 0.94-8.99, P = 0.07), mainly due to transient phrenic nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Underweight patients showed a higher risk of AF recurrence after cryoablation compared with NW patients. Also, careful attention is needed on the occurrence of phrenic nerve palsy in UW patients.

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in lean vs. non-lean MASLD: A comprehensive meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), characterized by a BMI < 25 kg/m² (or < 23 kg/m² in Asians), presents a challenging prognosis compared to non-lean MASLD. This study examines cardiovascular outcomes in both lean and non-lean MASLD cohorts. METHODS: In this meta-analysis, pooled odds ratios (ORs) within 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for primary outcomes (cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE]) and secondary outcomes (cardiovascular disease [CVD], all-cause mortality, hypertension, and dyslipidemia). Studies comparing lean and non-lean MASLD within the same cohorts were analyzed, prioritizing those with larger sample sizes or recent publication dates. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were identified, encompassing lean MASLD patients (n = 7153; mean age 52.9 ± 7.4; 56 % male) and non-lean MASLD patients (n = 23,514; mean age 53.2 ± 6.8; 63 % male). Lean MASLD exhibited a 50 % increase in cardiovascular mortality odds compared to non-lean MASLD (OR: 1.5, 95 % CI 1.2-1.8; p < 0.0001). MACE odds were 10 % lower in lean MASLD (OR: 0.9, 95 % CI 0.7-1.2; p = 0.7), while CVD odds were 40 % lower (p = 0.01). All-cause mortality showed a 40 % higher odds in lean MASLD versus non-lean MASLD (p = 0.06). Lean MASLD had 30 % lower odds for both hypertension (p = 0.01) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.02) compared to non-lean MASLD. CONCLUSION: Despite a favorable cardiometabolic profile and comparable MACE rates, lean individuals with MASLD face elevated cardiovascular mortality risk.

Association of prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain trajectory with adverse pregnancy outcomes-a prospective cohort study in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to investigate the associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) trajectories with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted in Shanghai Pudong New Area Health Care Hospital for Women and Children, Shanghai, China. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: A cohort study involving a total of 2174 pregnant women was conducted. Each participant was followed to record weekly weight gain and pregnancy outcomes. The Institute of Medicine classification was used to categorise prepregnancy BMI, and four GWG trajectories were identified using a latent class growth model. RESULTS: The adjusted ORs for the risks of large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) were significantly greater for women with prepregnancy overweight/obesity (OR=1.77, 2.13, 1.95 and 4.24; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.42, 1.32 to 3.46, 1.43 to 2.66 and 2.01 to 8.93, respectively) and lower for those who were underweight than for those with normal weight (excluding HDP) (OR=0.35, 0.27 and 0.59; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.53, 0.11 to 0.66 and 0.36 to 0.89, respectively). The risk of small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight (LBW) was significantly increased in the underweight group (OR=3.11, 2.20; 95% CI 1.63 to 5.92, 1.10 to 4.41; respectively) compared with the normal-weight group; however, the risk did not decrease in the overweight/obese group (p=0.942, 0.697, respectively). GWG was divided into four trajectories, accounting for 16.6%, 41.4%, 31.7% and 10.3% of the participants, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, the risk of LGA was 1.54 times greater for women in the slow GWG trajectory group than for those in the extremely slow GWG trajectory group (95% CI 1.07 to 2.21); the risk of SGA and LBW was 0.37 times and 0.46 times lower for women in the moderate GWG trajectory group and 0.14 times and 0.15 times lower for women in the rapid GWG trajectory group, respectively; the risk of macrosomia and LGA was 2.65 times and 2.70 times greater for women in the moderate GWG trajectory group and 3.53 times and 4.36 times greater for women in the rapid GWG trajectory group, respectively; and the women in the other three trajectory groups had a lower risk of GDM than did those in the extremely slow GWG trajectory group, but there was not much variation in the ORs. Notably, different GWG trajectories did not affect the risk of HDP. CONCLUSIONS: As independent risk factors, excessively high and low prepregnancy BMI and GWG can increase the risk of APOs.

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and gallstone risk in nonobese and lean individuals.

PURPOSE: The association between nonobese/lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstone formation remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether NAFLD is an independent risk factor for gallstones, even in nonobese or lean individuals. METHODS: We analyzed 265 353 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography. The risk of gallstone was assessed on the basis of obesity and NAFLD status. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rates of NAFLD and gallstones were 27.1% and 2.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of NAFLD among the 195 204 nonobese and 136 194 lean participants were 14.7% and 7.4%, respectively. Individuals with NAFLD had a significantly increased risk of gallstones (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.32). Moreover, NAFLD significantly increased the risk of gallstone (adjusted OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17-1.41) among nonobese individuals. Lean individuals with NAFLD also exhibited a significantly increased risk of gallstones (adjusted OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40). Furthermore, these findings remained consistent even in nonobese and lean individuals without insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: Nonobese/lean NAFLD is an independent risk factor for gallstone formation, suggesting its role in gallstone pathogenesis, regardless of obesity status. Therefore, when hepatic steatosis is detected on abdominal ultrasonography, a more thorough evaluation of the gallstones may be necessary, even in nonobese or lean individuals.

Clinical variables influencing the perception of fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study using FSIQ-RMS.

BACKGROUND: Physical fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Several factors might influence the development of fatigue, such as gender, education, body mass index (BMI), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration, working status (Ws), physiotherapy (Ph), and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Fatigue Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (FSIQ-RMS) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) that allows one to define the impact of fatigue in PwMS clearly. This study aimed to assess fatigue impact on PwMS by using FSIQ-RMS. METHODS: The participants were enrolled from May to July 2021 in MS Centers of Sant'Andrea Hospital and Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome. Fatigue was evaluated using the FSIQ-RMS, validated, and culturally adapted in Italian. Clinical and demographic data were collected at the same time. RESULTS: We enrolled 178 PwMS [Female 74.16%; RMS 82.58%, SPMS 17.52%]. FSIQ-RMS scores were significantly correlated with EDSS (p-value < 0.01). Analysis of variance between means showed a statistically significant difference between the BMI groups at the 24hours_FSIQ-RMS score and the 7days_FSIQ-RMS score (p < 0.01), with the lower BMI group having the highest scores. Furthermore, perceived fatigue significantly improved both in subjects performing Ph (p < 0.05) and in those who actively work (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of FSIQ-RMS in a real-world setting confirmed that underweight and high levels of disability are closely related to fatigue. In addition, Ph and active Ws are strongly correlated with fatigue in PwMS.

[Association between obesity and risk for all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes].

Objective: To investigate the association between obesity and the risk for all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Methods: The participants were from a rural community-based T2DM patient cohort in Zhejiang Province. The study used the data collected from baseline survey in 2016 and follow-up until December 31, 2021. A total of 10 310 participants were included, excluding those who were lost in follow-up or had incomplete data in follow-up. According to BMI and waist circumference, the study subjects were divided into 6 groups: low body weight, normal body weight, simple abdominal obesity, simple body obesity, complex overweight and complex obesity. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality and their 95%CIs in T2DM patients with different obesity status. Results: The cumulative follow-up period was 57 049.47 person-years with an average follow-up of (5.53±0.89) person-years. During this period, 971 subjects died. The death density was 1 702.03/100 000 person-years. After adjusting for confounders, low-weight patients had a 104% increased risk for all-cause death compared with normal-weight patients (HR=2.04, 95%CI:1.42-2.92). The risk for all-cause death decreased by 34% (HR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.53-0.82), 22% (HR=0.78,95%CI: 0.66-0.92), 38% (HR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.49-0.78) in the patients with simple body obesity, complex overweight and complex obesity, respectively, there was no significant difference for all-cause death in the patients with simple abdominal obesity alone. In subgroup analysis, the risk of all-cause mortality increased in low-weight T2DM patients of different sexes and ages, the mortality risk in women with complex obesity was 50% lower than that in the women with normal body weight, but there was no significant difference in men in the comparison between complex obesity group and normal body weight group. The risk for all-cause mortality was significantly lower in ≥65 years old patients with simple body obesity, complex overweight and complex obesity than in patients with normal body weight (HR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.48-0.78; HR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.63-0.91; HR=0.56,95%CI: 0.42-0.73), there was no significant difference in the patients aged <65 years. There was no significant change in sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: There was an "obesity paradox" in the risk for all-cause mortality in T2DM patients. The risk of all-cause mortality in the low-weight patients was significantly higher than that in normal-weight patients, and the risk for death in the patients with simple body obesity or complex overweight and obesity were significantly lower.

Dietary inflammatory impact on NAFLD development in obese vs. lean individuals: an analysis based on NHANES 2003-2018.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), often linked with obesity, can also affect individuals with normal weight, a condition known as "lean NAFLD", imposing comparable burdens and adverse effects. However, the impact of diet on lean NAFLD remains underexplored. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and NAFLD among Americans, stratified by waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Five thousand one hundred fifty-two participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2018 were comprised in the final analysis. NAFLD and advanced liver fibrosis were diagnosed by serological markers. Lean and abdominal lean individuals were identified using BMI and WHtR, separately. DII was determined by assigning scores to 28 distinct food parameters based on their inflammatory potential, obtained from the NAHNES website. Differences across DII quartiles were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis H Test, Chi-Square Test along with One-Way ANOVA. The correlation between DII and NAFLD was determined by multiple regression models and subgroup analyses. RESULTS: Among the 5152 subjects, 2503 were diagnosed with NAFLD, including 86 cases of lean NAFLD and 8 cases of abdominal lean NAFLD. DII was positively linked with NAFLD (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.81 [1.48-2.21], P < 0.001) and advanced liver fibrosis (OR = 1.46 [1.02-2.07], P = 0.037). Further analysis revealed that this association was primarily observed in obese or abdominal obese participants (In BMI ≥ 25.00 kg/m^2, OR = 1.56 [1.23-1.98], P < 0.001. In WHtR> 0.50, OR = 1.48 [1.23-1.79], P < 0.001.), rather than their lean counterparts. Subgroup analyses indicated that female individuals, without a diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes appeared to be more sensitive to the rise in DII. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated a significant positive correlation between DII and NAFLD in the general population. However, the impact of a pro-inflammatory diet was less prominent in lean individuals compared to obese ones.

The association between body mass index and osteoporosis in a Taiwanese population: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

This study investigates the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and osteoporosis utilizing data from the Taiwan Biobank. Initially, a comprehensive analysis of 119,009 participants enrolled from 2008 to 2019 was conducted to assess the association between BMI and osteoporosis prevalence. Subsequently, a longitudinal cohort of 24,507 participants, initially free from osteoporosis, underwent regular follow-ups every 2-4 years to analyze the risk of osteoporosis development, which was a subset of the main cohort. Participants were categorized into four BMI groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2), overweight (24 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 27 kg/m2), and obese groups (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2). A T-score ≤ - 2.5 standard deviations below that of a young adult was defined as osteoporosis. Overall, 556 (14.1%), 5332 (9.1%), 2600 (8.1%) and 1620 (6.7%) of the participants in the underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese groups, respectively, had osteoporosis. A higher prevalence of osteoporosis was noted in the underweight group compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.99 to 2.43; p value < 0.001) in multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, in the longitudinal cohort during a mean follow-up of 47 months, incident osteoporosis was found in 61 (9%), 881 (7.2%), 401 (5.8%) and 213 (4.6%) participants in the underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese groups, respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that the risk of incident osteoporosis was higher in the underweight group than in the normal weight group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.12; p value < 0.001). Our results suggest that BMI is associated with both the prevalence and the incidence of osteoporosis. In addition, underweight is an independent risk factor for developing osteoporosis. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining normal weight for optimal bone health.

The effect of body mass index on mortality, peritonitis, technique proficiency and residual renal function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Obesity is also increasing in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. There are conflicting data on complications such as mortality, peritonitis, and technique proficiency of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in underweight and obese patients according to body mass index (BMI). We aimed to present the data in our region to the literature by comparing the residual renal function (RRF), peritonitis, technique proficiency, and mortality rates of the patients we grouped according to BMI. METHODS: The data of 404 patients who were started and followed up in our clinic between March 2005 and November 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. They were grouped as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese according to BMI. RRF, mortality, technique proficiency and peritonitis data of the groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 404 patients, 44 were underweight, 199 were normal weight, 110 were overweight, and 55 were obese. No difference was found between the groups in the technique survey and in the time to first peritonitis with Kaplan-Meier analysis (respectively; p = 0.610, p = 0.445). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BMI did not affect mortality (HR 1.196 [95% CI 0.722-1.981] (p = 0.488)). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we report that BMI has no effect on RRF, peritonitis, technique proficiency, and mortality in patients undergoing PD, and that mortality may depend on additional factors such as mean albumin, time to first peritonitis, and loss of RRF.

Muscle attenuation, not skeletal muscle index, is an independent prognostic factor for survival in gastric cancer patients with overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Skeletal muscle index (SMI) is insufficient for evaluating muscle in obesity, and muscle attenuation (MA) may be a preferred indicator. This study aimed to investigate whether MA has greater prognostic value than SMI in gastric cancer patients with overweight and obesity. METHODS: Clinical parameters of 1312 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy were prospectively collected between 2013 and 2019. MA and SMI were analyzed by computed tomography scan. Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m2. The hazard ratio (HR) for death was calculated using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Among all patients, 405 were identified as overweight and obese, and 907 were identified as normal and underweight. MA was inversely associated with BMI and visceral fat area. Among the 405 patients with overweight and obesity, 212 patients (52%) were diagnosed with low MA. In the overweight/obese group, MA was an independent predictor for overall survival (HR, 1.610; P = 0.021) in multivariate Cox regression analyses, whereas SMI did not remain in the model. In the normal/underweight group, both low MA (HR, 1.283; P = 0.039) and low SMI (HR, 1.369; P = 0.008) were independent factors of overall survival. Additionally, 318 patients were identified as having visceral obesity in the overweight/obese group, and low MA was also an independent prognostic factor for survival in these patients (HR, 1.765; P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: MA had a higher prognostic value than SMI in overweight and obese patients with gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy.

Optimal gestational weight gain in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are believed to be associated with fetal conditions and maternal complications. The aim of this study was investigating the influence of maternal prepregnancy BMI and GWG on pregnancy outcomes and exploring the optimal GWG in Taiwanese singleton women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective records of 8146 singleton pregnant women between 2017 and 2019, obtained from a tertiary center in Taiwan were reviewed, and the associations between maternal prepregnancy BMI, GWG, and perinatal outcomes were analyzed. The patients were divided into five groups based on prepregnancy BMIs, defined by Taiwan Health Promotion Administration, as underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal-weight (18.5 ≤ BMI <24 kg/m2), overweight (24.0 ≤ BMI <27.0 kg/m2), mild obese (27.0 ≤ BMI <30 kg/m2) and moderate-to-severe obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2), and the lowest risks of different complications were summarized in each group. Also, using the Institute of Medicine and Japanese guidelines as reference, the Taiwanese recommendations for GWG were revised. RESULTS: The rate of cesarean section, hypertensive disorder, preeclampsia, preeclampsia with severe features, and preterm birth were higher in prepregnancy overweight and obese women than in normal-weight women (p < 0.05). In the Taiwanese population, the recommended GWG for underweight pregnant women is 11-15 kg, for normal-weight pregnant women, it is 9.4-13.5 kg, for overweight pregnant women, it is 7.9-11.4 kg, for mild obese pregnant women, it is 7.3-10 kg, and for moderate-to-severe obese pregnant women, it is 4.9-9 kg with lowest perinatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Unsatisfactory controlled prepregnancy weight (BMI ≥24) and inappropriate body weight gain during pregnancy can increase the risk of adverse pregnancy complications. Taiwanese GWG guidelines should be revised based on the characteristics and clinical data of the local population.

Prepregnancy body mass index and other risk factors for early-onset and late-onset haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome: a population-based retrospective cohort study in British Columbia, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Obesity increases risk of pre-eclampsia, but the association with haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is understudied. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and HELLP syndrome, including early-onset versus late-onset disease. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using population-based data. SETTING: British Columbia, Canada, 2008/2009-2019/2020. POPULATION: All pregnancies resulting in live births or stillbirths at ≥20 weeks' gestation. METHODS: BMI categories (kg/m2) included underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9) and obese (≥30.0). Rates of early-onset and late-onset HELLP syndrome (<34 vs ≥34 weeks, respectively) were calculated per 1000 ongoing pregnancies at 20 and 34 weeks' gestation, respectively. Cox regression was used to assess the associations between risk factors (eg, BMI, maternal age and parity) and early-onset versus late-onset HELLP syndrome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Early-onset and late-onset HELLP syndrome. RESULTS: The rates of HELLP syndrome per 1000 women were 2.8 overall (1116 cases among 391 941 women), and 1.9, 2.5, 3.2 and 4.0 in underweight, normal BMI, overweight and obese categories, respectively. Overall, gestational age-specific rates of HELLP syndrome increased with prepregnancy BMI. Obesity (compared with normal BMI) was more strongly associated with early-onset HELLP syndrome (adjusted HR (AHR) 2.24 (95% CI 1.65 to 3.04) than with late-onset HELLP syndrome (AHR 1.48, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.80) (p value for interaction 0.025). Chronic hypertension, multiple gestation, bleeding (<20 weeks' gestation and antepartum) also showed differing AHRs between early-onset versus late-onset HELLP syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Prepregnancy BMI is positively associated with HELLP syndrome and the association is stronger with early-onset HELLP syndrome. Associations with early-onset and late-onset HELLP syndrome differed for some risk factors, suggesting possible differences in aetiological mechanisms.

Impact of being underweight before pregnancy on preterm birth by race/ethnicity and insurance status in California: an analysis of birth records.

BACKGROUND: The US still has a high burden of preterm birth (PTB), with important disparities by race/ethnicity and poverty status. There is a large body of literature looking at the impact of pre-pregnancy obesity on PTB, but fewer studies have explored the association between underweight status on PTB, especially with a lens toward health disparities. Furthermore, little is known about how weight, specifically pre-pregnancy underweight status, and socio-economic-demographic factors such as race/ethnicity and insurance status, interact with each other to contribute to risks of PTB. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to measure the association between pre-pregnancy underweight and PTB and small for gestational age (SGA) among a large sample of births in the US. Our secondary objective was to see if underweight status and two markers of health disparities - race/ethnicity and insurance status (public vs. other) - on PTB. STUDY DESIGN: We used data from all births in California from 2011 to 2017, which resulted in 3,070,241 singleton births with linked hospital discharge records. We ran regression models to estimate the relative risk of PTB by underweight status, by race/ethnicity, and by poverty (Medi-cal status). We then looked at the interaction between underweight status and race/ethnicity and underweight and poverty on PTB. RESULTS: Black and Asian women were more likely to be underweight (aRR = 1.0, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.1 and aRR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.4, 1.5, respectively), and Latina women were less likely to be underweight (aRR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.7, 0.7). Being underweight was associated with increased odds of PTB (aRR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.3-1.3) and, after controlling for underweight, all nonwhite race/ethnic groups had increased odds of PTB compared to white women. In interaction models, the combined effect of being both underweight and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) statistically significantly reduced the relative risk of PTB (aRR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.8, 0.9) and SGA (aRR = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.0). The combined effect of being both underweight and on public insurance increased the relative risk of PTB (aRR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.2) but there was no additional effect of being both underweight and on public insurance on SGA (aRR = 1.0, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm and build upon previous findings that being underweight preconception is associated with increased risk of PTB and SGA - a fact often overlooked in the focus on overweight and adverse birth outcomes. Additionally, our findings suggest that the effect of being underweight on PTB and SGA differs by race/ethnicity and by insurance status, emphasizing that other factors related to inequities in access to health care and poverty are contributing to disparities in PTB.

Obesity and septic patient outcomes: Shaping the puzzle through age and sex perspectives.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: While obesity has been reported as a protective factor in septic patients, little is known about the potential modifying effects of age and sex. The objective of this study is to investigate age and sex-specific associations between obesity and the prognosis of septic patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 15,464 septic patients, categorized by body mass index (BMI) into four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2, n = 483), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 4344), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2, n = 4949) and obese (≥30 kg/m2, n = 5688). Multivariable logistic regression and inverse probability weighting were employed to robustly confirm the protective effect of a higher BMI on 28-day mortality, with normal weight serving as the reference category. Subgroup analyses based on age (young: 18-39, middle-aged: 40-64 and elderly: ≥65) and sex were performed. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that high BMI independently confers a protective effect against 28-day mortality in septic patients. However, the relationship between BMI and 28-day mortality exhibits a non-linear trend, with a BMI of 34.5 kg/m2 displaying the lowest odds ratio. Notably, the survival benefits associated with a high BMI were not observed in the young group. Moreover, being underweight emerges as an independent risk factor for middle-aged and elderly female patients, while in males it is only a risk factor in the elderly group. Interestingly, being overweight and obese were identified as independent protective factors in middle-aged and elderly male patients, but not in females. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of BMI on mortality in septic patients varies according to age and sex. Elderly individuals with sepsis may derive more prognostic benefits from obesity.

Efficacy of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol on reducing surgical disparities related to overweight/obesity in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: When choosing a method of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for breast reconstruction, concerns regarding the potentially detrimental effects of obesity on postoperative recovery remain. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is known to facilitate rapid postoperative recovery. This study aimed to examine the effect of the ERAS protocol on the disparity between normal/underweight and overweight/obese patients after DIEP flap breast reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction between January 2015 and November 2022 was conducted. The patients were categorized into two groups: pre-ERAS and post-ERAS. In each group, associations between overweight/obese patients (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 ) and postoperative course were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 217 patients in the pre-ERAS group (including 71 overweight/obese) and 165 in the post-ERAS group (including 58 overweight/obese) were analyzed. The post-ERAS group had shorter length of stay (LOS) (8.0 versus 7.0 days, p-value <.001) and lower postoperative pain scores (5.0 versus 3.0 at postoperative day (POD) 1, p-value <.001) than the pre-ERAS group. The complication profiles did not differ according to ERAS adoption. In the pre-ERAS group, overweight/obese patients showed a significantly longer LOS (8.0 versus 9.0 days, p-value = .017) and a higher postoperative pain score (3.0 versus 4.0 at POD 2, p-value = .018) than normal/underweight patients; however, these differences disappeared in the post-ERAS group, showing similar LOS, pain scores, and analgesic consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERAS protocol in DIEP free-flap breast reconstruction may reduce overweight/obesity-related disparities in postoperative recovery.

Effect of Preoperative Body Mass Index on Postoperative and Long-Term Outcomes in an East Indian Gastric Cancer Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is a global health concern with varying clinical outcomes. This study aims to investigate the influence of preoperative Body Mass Index (BMI) on survival in patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer in Eastern India. METHODS: Data from a prospectively maintained Surgical Oncology database were analysed for patients who underwent curative resection for primary gastric adenocarcinoma between May 2016 and March 2022. Patients with incomplete data were excluded. Preoperative BMI was categorised into three groups: Underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2), Normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m2), and Overweight/Obese (=23 kg/m2). Clinicopathological details, short-term outcomes, and long-term oncological outcomes were assessed. Statistical analysis included survival estimates, Cox proportional hazard models, and subgroup analysis. RESULT: Of 162 patients, 145 met the inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly male (68%) with middle or lower socioeconomic status. No significant differences amongst BMI groups were observed in performance score, tumour grade, clinical stage, or short-term outcomes. Postoperative complications and 30-day mortality were similar. However, underweight patients had poorer 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) compared to overweight/obese patients (14.3% vs. 39.7%, p = 0.03). Overweight/obese patients showed significantly better 4-year overall survival (OS) than underweight patients (47.8% vs. 20.4%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In Eastern Indian gastric cancer patients undergoing curative resection, preoperative higher BMI (overweight/obese) was associated with better long-term survival. Understanding these findings could guide tailored interventions to improve outcomes in this population.