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Objectives The incidence of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), one of the most frequent causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity, has increased significantly in the U.S. in last two decades. However, reasons for this rise are not well explored. The interrelationship between interpregnancy interval (IPI), prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), and PIH might play a role in this rise. This study aims to investigate the additive effect of IPI and prepregnancy BMI on PIH. Study design The 2018 Vital Statistics Natality Data was analyzed (N = 1,046,350) for this cross-sectional study. A combined variable was created using IPI and prepregnancy BMI. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were generated for IPI, prepregnancy BMI, and PIH using multiple logistic regression models. Main Outcome Measure PIH was defined using the birth certificate variable ‘Gestational hypertension- (PIH, preeclampsia)’ in the dataset. Results IPI and prepregnancy BMI were statistically significantly associated with PIH, both independently and in combination, after adjusting for potential confounders. The largest effect size was observed among women with long IPI and obesity (Adjusted OR = 4.01, 95% CI = 3.84, 4.25). Further, short IPI in combination with underweight BMI was found to be inversely associated with PIH (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.53, 0.78). Conclusions When combined, IPI and BMI are crucial risk factors for PIH. The highest risk of PIH is in women with long IPI in combination with high BMI categories. Healthcare professionals should be cognizant of the additional increased risk of PIH for the overweight and obese women with long IPI.

Background and Aim This retrospective study investigated the effect of 48‐week pemafibrate therapy in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with hypertriglyceridemia, as evaluated by the FibroScan‐aspartate aminotransferase (FAST) score. Methods A total of 31 NAFLD patients who were treated with pemafibrate in Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital and Kusunoki Hospital from September 2018 to April 2020 were included in the current study. We used the FAST score, which is a novel index of steatohepatitis that can be calculated based on the AST value, controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), to evaluate the effect of pemafibrate treatment. Results The median age was 64.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 55.0–75.0) years and 14 patients (45.2%) were male. Median body mass index was 26.8 (IQR 23.8–28.8). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were detected in 14 (45.2%) and five (16.1%) patients, respectively. Fasting triglyceride and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly improved (P, The FibroScan‐aspartate aminotransferase (FAST) score, which stratifies patients with risk of progressive non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis effectively, was significantly improved during pemafibrate treatment. The delta FAST score was correlated with the variations of alanine aminotransferase, which represents the effect of pemafibrate. Pemafibrate may prevent disease progression in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Introduction: The Regulation of the Ministry of Defense No. 106 of 2016 regulates the process of whether a disabled soldier should retire or continue their career. Some soldiers can continue after undergoing a rehabilitation program and fitness test called Uji Kesamaptaan. Unfortunately, the current scoring system in Uji Kesamaptaan only fits for normal soldiers. The purpose of this study was to describe the profile of normal and disabled soldiers who underwent physical fitness tests. The equality value “Kesamaptaan table” with the running test can be used to assess the ability for disabilities by using a wheelchair test?Methods: This preliminary study used a cross-sectional method and involved 46 soldiers who were divided into two groups, disabled (n=16) and normal (n=30). All participants underwent a 12-minuterun or wheel test in a 400-meter track, to record the distance covered according to their ability. VO2Max assessed using the Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Test (CPET). Results were analyze using SPSS program;Independent T-test.Results: No significant difference was observed in the characteristics (age, body weight, height, and mass index) between the two groups. The VO2Max difference between normal soldiers and disabled soldiers was highly significant. The highest score among disabled and normal soldiers was 38 L/min/kg BW and 64 L/min/kg BW, respectively. Normal soldiers covered 465m farther in a 12-minute run test.Conclusion: Kesamaptaan, the current scoring system for soldiers, can be considered unfair for the disabled soldiers. The scoring system only includes for 12-minutes running test. Differences in the involvement of muscles and muscle type, affecting energy use and oxygen consumption between the 12-minute run test and wheelchair pedal test. Therefore, value conversion is required for disabled soldiers.Keywords: disabled persons, exercise test, physical fitness, VO2Max

To explore the main risk factors for non-positional obstructive sleep apnea (NPOSA). A total of 560 patients with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) were divided into non-positional obstructive sleep apnea (NPOSA) and positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) groups. All patients were assessed by the Friedman staging system and anthropometry before overnight polysomnography. Blood tests were performed to determine the fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile. Forward logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of all parameters on positional dependency. The study sample consisted of 318 NPOSA patients and 242 POSA patients (88% and 85% were men, respectively). The mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 57.0 events/h in the NPOSA group, compared with 25.7 events/h in the POSA group. The POSA group had a significantly smaller neck circumference (NC), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), lower body mass index (BMI), AHI, fasting blood glucose, and apolipoprotein-B (apoB) levels than did the NPOSA group (all, P

Objective The factors contributing to long-term remission in axial SpA (axSpA) are unclear. We aimed to characterize individuals with axSpA at the 5-year follow-up to identify baseline factors associated with remission. Methods We included all patients from the DESIR cohort (with recent-onset axSpA) with an available Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score–CRP (ASDAS-CRP) at 5-year follow-up. Patients in remission (ASDAS-CRP Results Overall, 111/449 patients (25%) were in remission after 5 years. Among those never exposed to TNFi, 31% (77/247) were in remission compared with 17% (34/202) of those exposed to TNFi. Patients in remission after 5 years were more likely to be male, HLA-B27+, have a lower BMI, and a higher education level. Baseline factors associated with 5-year remission in patients never exposed to TNFi included lower BASDAI [adjusted odds ratio (ORa) 0.9, 95% CI: 0.8, 0.9) and history of peripheral arthritis (ORa 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.3). In those exposed to TNFi, remission was associated with higher education level (ORa 2.9, 95% CI: 1.6, 5.1), lower enthesitis index (ORa 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 0.9), lower BASDAI (ORa 0.9, 95% CI: 0.9, 0.9) and lower BMI (ORa 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 0.9). Conclusion This study highlights the difficulty in achieving 5-year remission in those with recent-onset axSpA, especially for the more active cases, despite the use of TNFi. Socio-economic factors and BMI are implicated in the outcome at 5 years.

The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) according to the pre-pregnancy body mass index. Electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, OVID, and Cochrane Library). Selection criteria included prospective and retrospective cohort studies reporting the prevalence of fetal NTDs in obese, overweight, and underweight pregnant women. Odds ratios (ORs) comparing risk among these subsets of pregnancies with normal weight mothers were determined with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The evaluated outcome was the association between maternal underweight, overweight, and obesity and the risk of NTDs. We included ten studies published between 2000 and 2017, including underweight, overweight, and obese pregnant women with fetal NTD (cases) and pregnant women with recommended BMI with fetal NTD (controls). Compared with normal BMI women, obese mothers were at significantly higher risk of fetal NTDs (0.53 vs. 0.33%; OR 1.62 95% CI 1.32–1.99, p < .0001), while no difference for the risk of NTDs was found when comparing overweight (0.34 vs. 0.32%; OR 1.09 95% CI 0.92–1.3, p = .3) and underweight (0.65 vs. 0.24%; OR 1.34 95% CI 0.73–2.47, p = .34) with normal weight pregnant women. Obese pregnant women are at significantly higher risk NTDs, while no significant difference has been found in overweight and underweight pregnant women. Key message Obese pregnant women are at significantly higher risk of NTDs, such as spina bifida compared with normal weight women. No difference was found when comparing overweight and underweight with normal weight women. Obese pregnant women are at significantly higher risk of NTDs, such as spina bifida compared with normal weight women. No difference was found when comparing overweight and underweight with normal weight women.

Background: Recent studies suggest that intermittent fasting or skipping breakfast may be good strategies for weight loss and better health. The objective of this study was to determine whether regular breakfast is associated with overall or cardiovascular mortality. Methods: Cohort study with follow-up mortality data from the NHANES 1999–2002. National weighted sample. Outcomes were overall and cardiovascular mortality; secondary was fiber intake. Results: Out of 5761 participants, there were 4778 (82.9%) identified as breakfast eaters and 2027 deaths (35.2%); 469 (23.1%) deaths were due to cardiovascular diseases. The average daily intake of calories was 2015, and fiber was 16.3 g/day. A total of 17.7%, 66.0%, and 11.4% of participants had diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. Analysis showed breakfast eaters were older, had lower body mass index, and ate more calories and fiber daily than non-breakfast eaters. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses showed that compared to non-breakfast eaters, the breakfast eaters were less likely to experience mortality after multivariable adjustments (overall mortality: hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.84 and cardiovascular mortality: HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.32-0.63). For the breakfast eaters, fiber intake >25 g/day was associated with 21% (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.96) reduction in all-cause mortality after multivariable adjustments. Conclusions: Regular daily intake of breakfast appears to be associated with lower overall and cardiovascular mortality, particularly when consuming fiber >25 g/day. Further studies examining specific breakfast foods and the timing of foods would be helpful.

Background: Obesity is a widely spread health problem the complications of which are too many whether general or obstetric complications. Objective: The aim of this observational study is to evaluate the impact of increased BMI of nulliparous women on progress of labor, incidence of peri-partum complications (1ry outcome) and neonatal outcome of these women (secondary outcome). Patients and Methods: In this prospective observational study, 150 primigravidas in labor were recruited in Mit Ghamr General Hospital between November 1st, 2019 and April 30th, 2020 and categorized into 5 groups according to WHO BMI classification; Group A contained 50 patients with BMI 18.9-24.9, group B 50 patients with BMI 25-29.9, group C1 20 patients with BMI 30-34.9, group C2 20 patients with BMI 35-39.9 and group C3 10 patients with BMI at least 40. Recruited patients were monitored for their progress of labor (in terms of time of cervical dilation from 4 cm to 10 cm, the accordingly calculated rate of cervical dilation and duration of head descent) and their development of peri-partum complications (cervical dystocia, shoulder dystocia, arrest of head descent, the subsequent potential need for CS, 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears, 1ry post-partum hemorrhage, retained placenta). Neonatal outcome was observed by measuring fetal birth weight, APGAR score at 1 minute and 5 minutes, subsequent potential need for NICU admission and occurance of neonatal jaundice. Results: A statistically significant difference was found regarding progress of labor and neonatal outcome with women in obese groups (C1, C2, C3) having slower progress and worse neonatal outcome, while no statistically significant difference was found regarding mode of delivery and peri-partum complications. Conclusion: Obese women in labor considered high-risk cases that required special measures whether on short-term or long-term basis.

Purpose: Underestimating overweight may prevent efforts toward reducing weight, but simultaneously benefit mental health and well-being. The magnitude of underestimation of overweight and obesity in adolescents is largely unknown, and so is to what extent this underestimation is associated with dieting behaviors, mental distress, and life satisfaction. As overweight has become more common during the past decades, associations between body size underestimation and mental health may have changed. Methods: Overweight (isoebody mass index, iso-BMI 25) adolescents (aged 13e19 years) who participated in The Young-HUNT1 (1995e97, n ¼ 1,338) or The Young-HUNT3 (2006e08, n ¼ 1,833) surveys were included. Being overweight, but perceiving oneself as average-weighted or underweighted was defined as underestimation. Results were based on clinical examinations and self-report questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between body size underestimation, dieting behaviors, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. Results: Among adolescents with overweight and obesity (iso-BMI 25), the prevalence of obesity (iso-BMI 30), body size underestimation, and having symptoms of anxiety and depression had increased from the first survey to the next. At both time points, body size underestimation was more common among boys than girls. In 2006e08, body size underestimation was negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in both sexes, and overall associated with higher life satisfaction equally over time. Dieting behavior was negatively associated with underestimation of body size. Conclusions: Body size underestimation in adolescents with overweight/obesity has become more prevalent and a phenomenon associated with less dieting, better life satisfaction and mental health in both boys and girls. 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

BACKGROUND The effect of sex on mortality is controversial; furthermore, sex differences in left ventricular (LV) remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remain unknown.Methods and Results:This study included 2,588 patients (1,793 [69.3%] female) enrolled in the Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention (OCEAN)-TAVI Japanese multicenter registry between October 2013 and May 2017. We retrospectively analyzed the effect of sex on mortality, and evaluated changes in the LV mass index (LVMI) after TAVI. Female sex was significantly associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (log-rank P

Aims Lung ultrasound (LUS) relies on detecting artefacts, including A-lines and B-lines, when assessing dyspnoeic patients. A-lines are horizontal artefacts and characterize normal lung, whereas multiple vertical B-lines are associated with increased lung density. We sought to assess the prevalence of A-lines and B-lines in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and examine their clinical correlates and their relationship with outcomes. Methods and results In a prospective cohort study of adults with AHF, eight-zone LUS and echocardiography were performed early during the hospitalization and pre-discharge at an imaging depth of 18 cm. A- and B-lines were analysed separately off-line, blinded to clinical and outcome data. Of 164 patients [median age 71 years, 61% men, mean ejection fraction (EF) 40%], the sum of A-lines at baseline ranged from 0 to 19 and B-line number from 0 to 36. One hundred and fifty-six patients (95%) had co-existing A-lines and B-lines at baseline. Lower body mass index and lower chest wall thickness were associated with a higher number of A-lines (P trend Conclusions A-lines and B-lines on LUS co-exist in the vast majority of hospitalized patients with AHF. In contrast to B-lines, A-lines were not associated with adverse outcomes.

BACKGROUND In severe obesity, left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) remodeling and contractile dysfunction have been documented, but less is known regarding left atrial (LA) dysfunction and its association with LV/RV remodeling, especially in children. PURPOSE To assess the effects of severe childhood obesity on cardiac function by using multichamber strain analysis with MRI. STUDY TYPE Prospective. SUBJECTS Forty-five children aged 7-18 years (including 20 with severe obesity, defined as a body mass index values above the 99th percentile). FIELD STRENGTH 5 T. SEQUENCE Steady-state-free-precession (SSFP) images in short-axis views and longitudinal two- and four-chamber views. ASSESSMENT Cardiac strain measurements were derived from standard SSFP cine images by using a dedicated MR imaging feature tracking software. Inter- and intra-rater reliability were evaluated. STATISTICAL TESTS Independent sample t test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, principal component analysis, Bland-Altman analysis, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). A P value

Background Maternal obesity and depression are common and both have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Aims The aim of this observational study was to examine the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) category and self-reported depression at the first antenatal visit. Methods Women who delivered a baby weighing ≥ 500 g over nine years 2009–2017 were included. Self-reported sociodemographic and clinical details were computerised at the first antenatal visit by a trained midwife, and maternal BMI was calculated after standardised measurement of weight and height. Results Of 73,266 women, 12,304 (16.7%) had obesity, 1.6% (n = 1126) reported current depression and 7.5% (n = 3277) multiparas reported a history of postnatal depression. The prevalence of self-reported maternal depression was higher in women who had obesity, > 35 years old, were socially disadvantaged, smokers, had an unplanned pregnancy and used illicit drugs. After adjustment for confounding variables, obesity was associated with an increased odds ratio (aOR) for current depression in both nulliparas (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.3, p 0.001) and multiparas (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.1, p 0.001) and postnatal depression in multiparas (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.5, p 0.001). The prevalence of current depression was higher in women with moderate/severe obesity than in women with mild obesity (both p 0.001). Conclusions We found that self-reported maternal depression in early pregnancy was independently associated with obesity. The prevalence of depression increased with the severity of obesity. Our findings highlight the need for implementation of strategies and provision of services for the prevention and treatment of both obesity and depression.

Aim of the study: To assess if the neck circumference (NC) can be used to predict the presence and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) in a group of patients had snoring and witnessed apnea from Almoosa Hospital, Alhasa, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study for patients had snoring and witnessed apnea referred to a sleep lab for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by overnight full polysomnogram from August 2016 to August 2020. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was used to categorize the severity of sleep apnea. Age, sex, neck circumference (NC) body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and sleep parameters were recorded. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of NC for the diagnosis of the OSA. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for different cut-off points. Results: The study included 450 patients who met the inclusion criteria with a mean age 52.5 14.6. The mean NC (cm), and BMI were 39.4 3.1, and 35.2 9.0, respectively. OSA was diagnosed in 378 (84.0%) patients. OSA was more detected among males, those with an increased age, NC, BMI, and among patients had hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The mean BMI was significantly higher among females (p=0.031) while NC was significantly higher among males. Significant positive correlations were detected between both NC and BMI with the severity of OSA. Conclusion: Neck circumference can be used to predict the presence as well as the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in snoring patients. BMI, and male gender are independent predictors. Keywords: Snoring, Neck circumference, Body mass index, Obstructive sleep apnea.

We performed this updated systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate anti-Müllerian hormone levels (AMH) in newborns of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with healthy controls. A search of the literature was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP for articles to assess AMH levels in offspring of PCOS and non-PCOS mothers irrespective of language. These databases were searched from their inception to December 7, 2020. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) scoring system. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adopted to calculate the overall estimates with random-effects models. A total of 6 studies with 846 participants were included. The pooled analysis found an increased AMH level in the umbilical cord blood in newborns of PCOS mothers (SMD =0.62, 95% CI [0.28, 0.95]). Subgroup analyses revealed an elevation of AMH concentrations in female neonates, neonates born to American and Asian PCOS mothers. In addition, higher AMH levels were also found in studies diagnosed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) criteria, maternal clinical/biochemical hyperandrogenism, or maternal body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2. Meta-regression analysis suggested that diagnostic criterion contributed mostly to the high heterogeneity. We demonstrated that AMH levels in neonates born to PCOS mothers were essentially higher, which indicates that AMH may act as an enigmatic role in the pathogenesis of PCOS which inhibits folliculogenesis in the fetal stage.

Purpose A subset of patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) presents with either insufficient weight loss or weight regain. Data on the revisional restrictive options including laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is scarce. This study analyzes the mid-term efficacy and safety of LAGB as a revisional procedure after RYGB. Methods Data of all patients with revisional LAGB after primary RYGB between January 2011 and May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes included assessment of weight changes, resolution of comorbidities, and early and late complications during the study period. Results Twenty patients were included. The median Body Mass Index (BMI) before revisional LAGB was 34.8 (interquartile range [IQR] 31.9–38.1) kg/m2. After a median follow-up of 33.5 (IQR 19.5–76.5) months, the median BMI was 28.7 (IQR 26.1–32.2) kg/m2. The median additional Excess Weight Loss (EWL) was 37.6% (IQR 23–44.4), leading to a median total EWL of 79.5% (IQR 54.4–94.6). BMI and EWL post-LAGB improved significantly compared to BMI and EWL pre-LAGB (p Conclusion LAGB may be a salvage option after failed RYGB. However, the high rate of revisions after secondary LAGB needs to be taken into consideration.

Context An inverse relationship between brown adipose tissue (BAT) and obesity has previously been reported in older children and adults but is unknown in young children. Objective We investigated the influence of BAT in thermoneutral condition on adiposity and metabolic profile in Asian preschool children. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 198 children aged 4.5 years from a prospective birth cohort study, Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) were successfully studied with water-fat magnetic resonance imaging of the supraclavicular and axillary fat depot (FDSA). Regions within FDSA with fat-signal-fraction between 20% and 80% were considered BAT, and percentage BAT (%BAT; 100*BAT volume/ FDSA volume) was calculated. Main Outcome Measures Abdominal adipose tissue compartment volumes, ectopic fat in the soleus muscle and liver, fatty liver index, metabolic syndrome scores, and markers of insulin sensitivity. Results A 1% unit increase in %BAT was associated with lower body mass index, difference (95% CI), −0.08 (−0.10, −0.06) kg/m2 and smaller abdominal adipose tissue compartment volumes. Ethnicity and sex modified these associations. In addition, each unit increase in %BAT was associated with lower ectopic fat at 4.5 years in the liver, −0.008% (−0.013%, −0.003%); soleus muscle, −0.003% (−0.006%, −0.001%) of water content and lower fatty liver index at 6 years. Conclusions Higher %BAT is associated with a more favorable metabolic profile. BAT may thus play a role in the pathophysiology of obesity and related metabolic disorders. The observed ethnic and sex differences imply that the protective effect of BAT may vary among different groups.

BACKGROUND: It has been identified that two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (2D-STI) enables the early detection of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. This study’s objective was to evaluate the frequency of impaired LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and investigate the factors in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) associated with the impaired GLS. METHODS: A total of 100 ESRD patients with preserved LVEF who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were studied. The GLS was calculated as the average of peak longitudinal strain from 18 myocardial segments obtained utilizing the three-standard apical imagings. According to a predefined cutoff, a GLS absolute value of less than 18% was considered subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. RESULTS: Impaired LV GLS

There is limited information on the association of body mass index (BMI) with left ventricular (LV) remodeling corresponding to severity of reduced lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, we investigated whether BMI is associated with cardiac atrial and ventricular dimensions according to severity of lung functional impairment in Chinese COPD elderly. A total of 563 hospitalized COPD patients with lung function impairment and 184 patients with non-COPD (aged 65–92 years) were collected retrospectively in a cross-sectional study in a university affiliated tertiary hospital in China. BMI and cardiac echocardiographic parameters were compared according to severity of lung functional impairment in COPD patients. BMI was 22.9 ± 3.9 kg/m2 in COPD patients, 24.0 ± 4.1 kg/m2 in non-COPD patients respectively. Reduced BMI, LV mass index, LV wall thickness and left atrial diameter, and dilated right ventricle (RV) existed in COPD patients with severe lung dysfunction as compared the COPD patients with mild to moderate lung functional reduction and non-COPD patients (P P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that low BMI (BMI 2) was correlated with reduced LV mass and wall thickness, dilated RV and reduced lung function in the COPD patients with severe lung dysfunction. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that lower BMI is associated not only with dilated RV and impaired pulmonary function, but also it is related to reduced LV mass in Asian COPD elderly with severe lung dysfunction.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with meeting physical activity guidelines and sedentary recommendations in people with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 171 people with chronic LBP. Trained assessors collected information regarding demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data. Physical activity levels and sedentary time were objectively measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Participants were classified as being physically active (ie, performing at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week) and sedentary (ie, more than 8 hours of time spent in sedentary activities per day). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association of being physically active or sedentary with the range of demographic, anthropometric and clinical variables. Results Our results showed that although lower body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.85-0.98) and higher self-reported levels of leisure time physical activity (OR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.94-6.15) were associated with being physically active, lower self-reported levels of physical activity at work (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.39-0.81) was associated with being sedentary. Conclusion Our findings showed that, in people with LBP, lower body mass index and higher levels of leisure time physical activity may be important factors for identifying those physically active. In contrast, lower levels of physical activity at work may be considered when identifying sedentary people with LBP. Future studies should consider these factors when designing interventions aiming to promote physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior in this population.

Purpose To (1) report the percentage of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair (RCR) who were appropriately screened with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry testing prior to surgery, if indicated, and (2) determine the percentage of patients properly prescribed osteoporosis medications within 6 months of surgery. Methods Consecutive patients aged 50 years or older who underwent elective RCR at a single tertiary-care center over a 1-year period were reviewed. Fracture risk was estimated using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) with and without bone mineral density. The U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) criteria for screening and treatment were applied. Patients with acute fractures or revision surgery were excluded. Results Of the 218 patients included, 129 were women (58.1%). The mean age was 61.5 ± 7.2 years. One hundred thirty-one RCRs (60.1%) occurred within 3 months of injury. A total of 69 patients (31.7%) met the NOF criteria for bone mineral density screening. Of these patients, 23 (33.3%) were appropriately screened with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Primary care providers initiated bone health assessment in 18 of the 23 appropriately screened patients, with orthopaedic providers initiating the workup in 3 patients (13.0%). Thirty-two patients (14.7%) met the NOF criteria for pharmacologic management of osteoporosis. Of these patients, 5 (15.6%) were treated. Patients meeting the medication criteria were older (69.1 ± 7.7 years vs 60.2 ± 6.3 years, P < .001), had a lower body mass index (28.8 ± 6.1 vs 31.5 ± 6.5, P = .028), and had chronic rotator cuff tears (P = .015). Conclusions Patients aged 50 years or older undergoing RCR are often not appropriately screened for osteoporosis. Even when appropriately screened, only 15.6% of patients meeting the indications for pharmacologic intervention for bone health optimization were prescribed appropriate medications. Although bone health optimization may or may not affect surgical timing, patient encounters related to rotator cuff tears can be used as an opportunity for providers to initiate osteoporosis screening and treatment protocols. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Background Asthma is a common respiratory disorder; some data were present on the correlation between increased levels of some elements and the risk of asthma development. It was aimed to evaluate the levels of 13 selected blood and tooth elements (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, lead, mercury) in a well-controlled asthma group and the control group. Methods During the study period, 17 asthma patients and 26 age and gender-matched healthy children donated shed deciduous teeth having neither decay nor filling and enrolled for the study. The element levels in blood and teeth matrixes were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Differences in blood and tooth elements in groups were evaluated with generalized linear models after adjusting confounding factors. Results After adjusting the child’s “z scores of body mass index for age”, history of iron deficiency anemia, and status of parental smoking, the generalized linear model revealed significantly lower tooth magnesium levels, lower blood zinc levels, and lower blood zinc/copper ratio in the asthma group than the control group (p = 0.042, p = 0.034, p = 0.002, respectively). Other studied elements for tooth and blood matrixes were similar in groups. Conclusion Our study revealed some differences in tooth and blood element levels in the asthma group. Further studies on zinc and magnesium levels of severe asthma cases are necessary for the interpretation of the results.

AimThis observational study aimed to examine the association between the A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and/or sarcopenia and total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.MethodsThe associations of sarcopenia and ABSI with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality were assessed in 4,488 participants from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) who were followed up until December 31, 2015. Models were analyzed separately for men and women and adjusted for age, race, and other confounding factors. ABSI was assessed as a continuous measurement by quartile for men and women. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated to assess mortality caused by sarcopenia and/or ABSI in the study population.ResultsWhen ABSI was assessed as a continuous variable, the ABSI quartile showed a linear trend for total (p = 0.0001), cardiovascular (p = 0.04), and cancer (p = 0.02) mortality in men and for total (p = 0.06) and cardiovascular (p = 0.06) mortality in women. The hazard ratios (HRs) of the fourth ABSI quartile were 1.51 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.89] in men and 1.23 (95% CI: 0.93–1.64) in women, compared with those in the first quartile. When ABSI was assessed by quartile, the appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) was lower in the groups with high ABSI. When high ABSI was combined with sarcopenia, the HRs of all-cause mortality were 2.05 (95% CI: 1.60–2.62) in men and 1.51 (95% CI: 1.19–1.92) in women. In the subpopulation (sarcopenia group or higher ABSI), the PAFs of mortality due to sarcopenia were 26.16% (95% CI: 12.68–37.56) in men and 21.89% (95% CI: 5.64–35.35) in women, and the PAF of mortality due to higher ABSI was 23.70% (95% CI: 12.11–33.77) in men.ConclusionThe ABSI value was significantly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and the co-existence of higher ABSI values and sarcopenia can contribute to a more significant death risk in comparison with high ABSI values or sarcopenia. Moreover, the ABSI values in combination with the ASMI can be used to preliminarily evaluate the content and distribution of fat and muscle and to predict the risk of death in obese and sarcopenic populations.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is higher in women, and peaks around the age of menopause. Therefore, we investigated whether bilateral oophorectomy is associated with an increased risk of severe CTS. METHODS: We included all of the 1,653 premenopausal women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy for a nonmalignant indication between 1988 and 2007, and a random sample of 1,653 age-matched referent women who did not undergo bilateral oophorectomy in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Diagnoses of CTS assigned to women over their entire lifetime were identified in these two cohorts. The risk of de novo severe CTS after bilateral oophorectomy (or index date) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Bilateral oophorectomy was associated with an increased risk of severe CTS (adjusted hazard ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.20-2.25). The risk was suggestively greater in women with lower body mass index, nulliparity, and with a benign ovarian indication for oophorectomy (non-significant interactions). We did not observe a protective effect of estrogen therapy after the oophorectomy. The findings were similar in secondary analyses considering the incidence of CTS of any severity or idiopathic CTS. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of severe CTS, common in perimenopausal women, is increased after bilateral oophorectomy. The association may be causal or due to confounding. Therefore, the precise biological mechanisms explaining the association and the absence of a mitigating effect of estrogen therapy should be further investigated.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions globally in recent years. Consequently, the prevention and treatment of diabetes have become key social challenges. Most of the research on diabetes risk factors has focused on correlation analysis with little investigation into the causality of these risk factors. However, understanding the causality is also essential to preventing the disease. In this study, a causal discovery method for diabetes risk factors was developed based on an improved functional causal likelihood (IFCL) model. Firstly, the issue of excessive redundant and false edges in functional causal likelihood structures was resolved through the construction of an IFCL model using an adjustment threshold value. On this basis, an IFCL-based causal discovery algorithm was designed, and a simulation experiment was performed with the developed algorithm. The experimental results revealed that the causal structure generated using a dataset with a sample size of 2000 provided more information than that produced using a dataset with a sample size of 768. In addition, the causal structures obtained with the developed algorithm had fewer redundant and false edges. The following six causal relationships were identified: insulin→plasma glucose concentration, plasma glucose concentration→body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold thickness→BMI and age, diastolic blood pressure→BMI, and number of times pregnant→age. Furthermore, the reasonableness of these causal relationships was investigated. The algorithm developed in this study enables the discovery of causal relationships among various diabetes risk factors and can serve as a reference for future causality studies on diabetes risk factors.

Objective To investigate the ability of phase angle (PA) and body composition for predicting protein energy wasting (PEW) in renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients. Methods Renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients were enrolled in this study. Body composition was measured by direct segmental multi‐frequency biolectrical impedance analysis method (DSM‐BIA); phase angle (PA), fat‐free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), mid‐arm circumference (MAC), WC (waist circumference), and ECW/TBW (extracellular water/total body water) were obtained. Biochemicals (serum albumin, triglyceride, and cholesterol) were tested. PEW patients were classified according to ISRNM (The International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism) criteria. Cutoff value of PA and related variables was calculated by ROC analysis. The ability of body composition variables as indicators to predict PEW was evaluated. Results Sixty‐four patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty‐three patients (52.6%) were males, and forty (62.5%) patients were diagnosed with PEW. The ROC curve showed that the optimal cutoff values of PA, FFMI (fat‐free mass index), MAC, WC, and BMI for PEW risk were 4.45°, 16.71, 29.7 cm, 86.4 cm, and 21.1 kg/m2, respectively. These indicators showed significant association with PEW; meanwhile, the PA and MAC can be used as the predictors for PEW with OR 6.333 (95% CI, 1.956–20.505) and 3.267 (95% CI, 1.136–9.394), respectively. Both groups have a lower BUN/Cr ratio (, Protein energy wasting is prevalence in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on renal replacement therapy by the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism. Phase angle and mid‐arm circumference can be used as the independent and reliable indicators for the noninvasive predicting of protein energy wasting and evaluating nutrition status in CKD patients.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the risk of perinatal depression is associated with body mass index (BMI) category. Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study of women who completed an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire during the antepartum period at an integrated health system from January 2003 to May 2018. Risk of perinatal depression was defined as a score of ≥10 on the EPDS or an affirmative response to thoughts of self-harm. Risk of perinatal depression was compared by first trimester BMI category, defined as underweight (BMI: Results Our analysis included 3,420 obese women, 3,839 overweight women, 5,949 normal weight women, and 1,203 underweight women. The overall median gestational age at EPDS administration was 27 weeks (interquartile range: 23–29). Overweight and obese women were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, multiparous, to have public insurance, prepregnancy diabetes, and chronic hypertension as compared with normal or underweight women (p Conclusion Obesity is associated with an increased risk of perinatal depression as compared with women of normal weight. Key Points

This study aimed to assess the association between tobacco smoking and body composition in patients with HIV/AIDS in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). This is a cross-sectional study with people of HIV followed in specialized care service for HIV patients located in the South of Brazil. The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was used to assess smoking and other psychoactive substance use. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the ratio of body weight (in kilograms) to squared height (in meters). Patients also had their body composition evaluated with a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (Bodystat® Quadscan 4000, RU) to estimate skeletal muscle index (SMI). In total, 320 subjects were included in the study. The prevalence of smoking was 54.7%. Tobacco smoking was associated with malnutrition, lower body mass index scores, and lower skeletal muscle mass index. It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of smoking among patients with HIV/AIDS and that this behavior is associated with worse body composition. Thus, it is suggested to implement strategies to support smoking cessation among people with HIV/AIDS. Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre tabagismo e composição corporal em pacientes com HIV/AIDS em terapia antirretroviral combinada (TARVc). Trata-se de um estudo transversal com portadores de HIV acompanhados em um serviço de atendimento especializado localizado no Sul do Brasil. O instrumento Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) foi utilizado para avaliar o uso de tabaco e outras substâncias psicoativas. O índice de massa corporal (IMC) foi calculado como a razão do peso corporal (em quilogramas) pela altura ao quadrado (em metros). Os pacientes também tiveram sua composição corporal avaliada com uma impedância bioelétrica de múltiplas frequências (Bodystat® Quadscan 4000, RU) a fim de estimar o índice de massa muscular esquelética. No total, 320 sujeitos foram incluídos no estudo. A prevalência de tabagismo foi de 54,7%. O tabagismo foi associado à desnutrição, menores escores do índice de massa corporal e menor índice de massa muscular esquelética. Conclui-se que há uma alta prevalência de tabagismo entre pacientes com HIV/AIDS e que esse comportamento está associado a pior composição corporal. Assim, sugere-se a implementação de estratégias de apoio à cessação do tabagismo entre pessoas com HIV/AIDS.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) global pandemic has led to many health care services, including transplantation, being temporarily suspended. For transplantation to safely recommence, there is a need to understand the effects of SARS-CoV-2 in transplant and waitlist patients. We identified 21 patients with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection (13 transplant; 8 waitlist) during the first peak of coronavirus disease 2019 in Wales. Median patient age was 57 years (range, 24-69), 62% were male, and all were white. Median body mass index was 29 kg/m2 (range, 22-42), and 81% had 1 or more significant comorbidities. Median time from transplant to SARS-CoV-2 infection was 135 months (range, 9-356) and median time since being listed was 17.5 months (range, 5-69) for waitlisted patients. Seventeen patients were admitted to the hospital (81%), 18% (n = 3) in intensive care unit, and 5 patients died (4 transplant recipients and 1 waitlist patient; 24%). Two of the 4 transplant patients who died had recent malignancy. Although the mortality of hospitalized transplant patients was high, their infection rate of 0.87% meant that the overall mortality of transplant patients due to SARS-CoV-2 was low and comparable to that of patients on the waitlist. These data provide confidence in restarting the transplant program, provided that a series of measures aiming to avoid infections in newly transplanted patients are taken.

BACKGROUND Air trapping (AT) is one of the hallmarks of allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation (LT). Inert gas‒based ventilation‒perfusion (VQ) lung scintigraphy has excellent sensitivity in the detection of AT. METHODS We reviewed the charts of patients who underwent single or double LT between January 2012 and December 2014 (N = 193). Patients without a VQ scintigraphy at the first annual visit (n = 16) and those who did not survive till 1 year (n = 26) were excluded (final n = 151, mean age = 55.8 [SD =14] years, male = 85, female = 66). VQ scintigraphy was independently reviewed and reconciled for the presence and severity of AT by 2 investigators blinded to the clinical data (D.F.P. and D.M.). A 3-year post-transplant survival was the primary end-point. RESULTS AT was common (n = 73, 48.3%). Patients with obstructive lung diseases as the underlying diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.36, 95% CI: 1.64‒11.6; p = 0.003) and those with lower body mass index (BMI) (BMI < 25 kg/m2 and 25‒30 kg/m2; p < 0.001) had an increased risk of developing AT in the allograft. The presence of AT (adjusted OR, 2.33, 95% CI: 1.01‒5.36; p = 0.04) and peak forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1)

Objectives Genetic predisposition and maternal body mass index (BMI) are risk factors for childhood adiposity, defined by either BMI or overweight. We aimed to investigate whether childhood-specific genetic risk scores (GRSs) for adiposity-related traits are associated with childhood adiposity independent of maternal BMI, or whether the associations are modified by maternal BMI. Methods We constructed a weighted 26-SNP child BMI-GRS and a weighted 17-SNP child obesity-GRS in overall 1674 genotyped children within the Danish National Birth Cohort. We applied a case-cohort (N = 1261) and exposure-based cohort (N = 912) sampling design. Using logistic regression models we estimated associations of the GRSs and child overweight at age 7 years and examined if the GRSs influence child adiposity independent of maternal BMI (per standard deviation units). Results In the case-cohort design analysis, maternal BMI and the child GRSs were associated with increased odds for childhood overweight [OR for maternal BMI: 2.01 (95% CI: 1.86; 2.17), OR for child BMI-GRS: 1.56 (95% CI: 1.47; 1.66), and OR for child obesity-GRS 1.46 (95% CI: 1.37; 1.54)]. Adjustment for maternal BMI did not change the results, and there were no significant interactions between the GRSs and maternal BMI. However, in the exposure-based cohort design analysis, significant interactions between the child GRSs and maternal BMI on child overweight were observed, suggesting 0.85–0.87-fold attenuation on ORs of child overweight at higher values of maternal BMI and child GRS. Conclusion GRSs for childhood adiposity are strongly associated with childhood adiposity even when adjusted for maternal BMI, suggesting that the child-specific GRSs and maternal BMI contribute to childhood overweight independent of each other. However, high maternal BMI may attenuate the effects of child GRSs in children.

Background Recent reports show that the pre-operative or post-operative skeletal mass index (sarcopenia) affects survival rates for various cancers; however, the link between prostate cancer survival and sarcopenia is unclear. Therefore, this study examined the effect of the pre-operative internal obturator muscle (IOM) mass index on biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Methods In total, 222 patients, who underwent open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at seven centers in 2011 and were followed up for 5 years, were enrolled. BCR was examined in the context of pre-operative IOM mass index and BMI. Results The mean age of the patients was 67.82 ± 6.23 years, and the mean pre-operative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 11.61 ± 13.22 ng/ml. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the low and high IOM mass index groups (p > 0.05). Age, pre-op PSA level, ECE, and T-stage were associated with BCR (p = 0.049, p p = 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively). BMI, prostate volume, Gleason score, resection margin, N-stage, M-stage and IOM mass index was not associated with BCR (p > 0.05). Conclusions Pre-operative IOM mass index was not associated with BCR; however, long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate cancer-specific and overall survival of PCa patients.

Purpose The importance of follow-up (FU) for midterm weight loss (WL) after bariatric surgery is controversial. Compliance to this FU remains challenging. Several risk factors for loss to FU (LtFU) have been mentioned. The aim was therefore to evaluate the association between WL and LtFU 3 to 5 years postoperatively and to identify risk factors for LtFU. Materials and Methods A single-center cross-sectional study in the Netherlands. Between June and October 2018, patients scheduled for a 3-, 4-, or 5-year FU appointment were included into two groups: compliant (to their scheduled appointment and overall maximally 1 missed appointment) and non-compliant (missed the scheduled appointment and at least 1 overall). Baseline, surgical, and FU characteristics were collected and a questionnaire concerning socio-economic factors. Results In total, 217 patients in the compliant group and 181 in the non-compliant group were included with a median body mass index at baseline of 42.0 and 42.9 respectively. Eighty-eight percent underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The median percentage total weight loss for the compliant and non-compliant groups was 30.7% versus 28.9% at 3, 29.3% versus 30.2% at 4, and 29.6% versus 29.9% at 5 years respectively, all p>0.05. Age, persistent comorbidities and vitamin deficiencies, a yearly salary Conclusion Three to 5 years postoperatively, there is no association between LtFU and WL. The compliant group demonstrated more comorbidities and vitamin deficiencies. Younger age, not understanding the importance of FU, and financial challenges were risk factors for LtFU. Graphical abstract

Objective To report and compare presentation and management of Fournier's Gangrene (FG) in female vs male patients at a single tertiary care center. Methods Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes were summarized and compared between males and females who were treated for FG from 2011 to 2018 at a single institution. Results Of the 143 patients treated for FG at our institution, 33 (23%) were female. Female patients were predominantly white (82%), with a median (IQR) age of 55 (46, 59). Median female boby mass index (BMI) was 42.1 (32, 50.4). Female patients’ wound cultures were polymicrobial mix of gram positive and gram negative organisms. Median number of debridements for females was 2 ( 1 , 3 ). The most common anatomic region of gangrene involvement in females was labia (76%) followed by perineum (55%) and gluteus/buttocks (42%). Mortality rate during initial admission was 6% for females. Female patients had a higher median BMI than males (42.1 vs 33.7 respectively; P = .003). FG severity index, length of hospital stay, number of debridements, and wound cultures were comparable to males. The surgical team managing initial debridements differed with females managed primarily by general surgery and males primarily by urology. Mortality rate was comparable to men (6% vs 7%, P >.05). Conclusion Female patients with FG have greater BMI but similar clinical presentation, microbiologic characteristics and mortality rate compared to men. Urologists have little involvement during initial management for females at our institution.

Summary Background & aims Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are at high risk of malnutrition. The only validated malnutrition assessment tool is the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) is a new malnutrition assessment tool. The present study compares the nutrition-related parameters of the following tools: GLIM tool, SGA, Phase Angle (PA), Low Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI), and Patient- and Nutrition-Derived Outcome Risk Assessment score (PANDORA), in an attempt to validate an objective tool. Methods Eighty-four ICU patients were included. The tools mentioned above were assessed for their validity in diagnosing malnutrition. All patients were defined as suffering from acute disease and received medical nutrition therapy. To evaluate whether there is a correlation between the GLIM criteria, SGA, PA, and low FFMI, we compared the SGA, PA, and low FFMI to the GLIM criteria using Spearman correlation coefficients and a Chi-square test. Also, a Mann–Whitney U test was used to test the mean differences between the GLIM criteria and the PANDORA. The area under the curve (AUC) of the proposed parameters was evaluated for diagnosis of malnutrition to seek cutoff points that yield good sensitivity and specificity. Results Mean age was 50 ± 20 years, BMI 25.3 ± 5.1 kg/m2, APACHE II 20.5 ± 7.7, PANDORA score 32 ± 8.5. GLIM malnutrition criteria were significantly correlated with the gold standard SGA assessment and with low FFMI, with PA (Phase Angle), and with the PANDORA score. The area under the curve, by using the ROC curve analysis for GLIM criteria stratified by the SGA results, was 0.85 (P Conclusions The SGA malnutrition assessment highly validated the GLIM criteria framework combined with the two-criteria diagnosis of malnutrition with a high level of precision. The GLIM malnutrition assessment seems to be acceptable in the ICU setting.

Summary Background & aims The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) is a novel framework for diagnosing malnutrition and requires evaluation in wide-ranging clinical settings. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and its phenotypic characteristics among lung transplantation (LTx) candidates comparing GLIM to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) criteria. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of all adult patients assessed for LTx in a one-year period. Phenotypic criteria included body mass index (BMI), unintentional loss of weight (LOW) over a 12-month period and fat-free mass index (FFMI) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Systemic inflammation associated with severe end-stage lung disease met GLIM's etiological criterion. Diagnosis of malnutrition, and its severity, were classified according to each of GLIM and ICD-10. Results Of 130 patients, 112 (86%) had all data to classify malnutrition. Malnutrition prevalence according to GLIM was 59%, which was markedly greater than using ICD-10 criteria (26%). Half of the LTx patients were moderately malnourished using GLIM, compared to 19% using ICD-10. A similar proportion were severely malnourished using GLIM (9%) and ICD-10 (7%). Fat-free mass (FFM) depletion (47% of all patients) was a major contributor to GLIM-malnutrition. Over 60% of LTx patients with GLIM-malnutrition were not detected as malnourished using ICD-10 criteria. Conclusion Malnutrition diagnosis using GLIM was higher than using ICD-10 in LTx patients, primarily attributable to the incorporation of quantitative evaluation of FFM depletion. This highlights the utility of the GLIM framework and the importance of including body composition in malnutrition assessment.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among reproductive-age women in sub-Saharan Africa. Whether maternal body mass index (BMI) influences the risk of infant infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is uncertain. We used data from a birth cohort of 5344 HIV-unexposed Zimbabwean infants with available data on maternal BMI, to calculate rates of sick clinic visits for infections during the first 12 months postpartum, and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for each maternal BMI group. Compared to infants of mothers with normal BMI, the rate of sick clinic visits for any infection progressively rose among infants of overweight (aHR 1.05; 95%CI 0.99, 1.11) and obese women (aHR 1.15; 95%CI 1.05, 1.25). Excess clinic attendances were particularly due to skin, respiratory and ear infections. Maternal obesity may therefore influence infant infectious morbidity in LMIC over the first year after birth.

Introduction: Since 2017, number of studies involving nutritional status of adolescents using a novel parameter named tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) is soaring high. The concept of TMI was formulated to substitute body mass index (BMI) in case of adolescent population. The present study aims to find TMI values of school-going adolescent girls (aged 10 to 19 years). It also aims to compare the association of TMI and BMI with mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of the subjects. Methods: Height, weight and MUAC were measured using standard procedures. The BMI and TMI were accordingly calculated. The data obtained was tabulated to elucidate age-wise descriptive statistics. Quadratic polynomial regression was employed to yield a general conclusion regarding association of TMI and BMI with MUAC of the subjects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to check which of the two indices, BMI or TMI, has better ability to predict higher MUAC of the subjects. Results: The ROC-area under curve (AUC) was 0.867 and 0.955 for TMI and BMI respectively. Conclusion: BMI has better association with MUAC. In comparison to TMI, BMI has superior ability in predicting higher MUAC of the subjects.

The role of protein intake in bone has been controversial. Our case-control study among Chinese elderly concluded that a higher consumption of protein, even substituted for fat, is associated with lowered hip fracture risk. Differences in protein sources, amino acids composition, gender, and calcium sufficiency may explain the inconsistency. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of dietary protein intakes with hip fracture risk among Chinese elderly. This was a 1:1 age and sex matched cross-sectional study of case-control design among 1070 pairs of elderly Chinese people aged 55 to 80 years. Patients who were newly diagnosed (within 2-week) hip fracture by X-ray were recruited from four hospitals in Guangdong Province of China. Dietary intakes were evaluated by a validated food frequency questionnaire for total protein, protein from different sources, amino acids profiles, and estimated renal acid load in diet. Daily average intakes of total protein were 58.1±27.0 (women) and 65.7±31.8 (men) g/d for cases, and 66.8±21.5 (women) and 72.1±24.4 (men) for controls (p

In the United States 2018 bradycardia guideline, the current class III recommendation that patients with permanent pacemaker (PPM) indications and high multimorbidity burden may not have meaningful clinical benefit from PPM therapy is based on limited data.Observational study (January 1, 2008-December 31, 2015) of adults ≥65 years (N = 16,678) who underwent PPM implantation. Exposure variable: Elixhauser comorbidity number (ECN, 29 well-validated conditions).≤1-year mortality; secondary outcome: 1-year mortality.Those who died ≤1-year were older, had a lower body mass index (BMI), and higher ECN (p .001). Cumulative survival at 1-year was 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.9-92.7). One-year survival decreased by increasing ECN-with a difference at 1-year between lowest and highest ECN category of 17.3% (ECN 0-1: 97.1% [95% CI: 96.3-97.7]; ECN ≥8: 79.8% [95% CI: 77.9-81.5]). For those who survived the first year, cumulative survival at 8-years was 51.2% (95% CI = 49.8-52.6) with a difference between ECN 0-1 and ≥8 of 43.4%. Increasing ECN was associated equally with ≤1-year (HR 1.28 [95% CI: 1.25-1.30]) and 1-year (HR 1.19 [95% CI: 1.17-1.20]) mortality. A predictive model including age, sex, BMI, PPM type, race, and ECN had greater discriminative ability (p .0001) than a bedside model (age, sex) for the primary outcome.Across the heterogeneity of indications for PPM placement, multimorbidity is increasingly common. The association of multimorbidity to mortality (≤1-year, 1-year) should be routinely discussed during the shared decision-making process as an important prognostic geriatric domain variable.

Objective: To determine differences in eating practices, perceptions, and perceived barriers among intermediate students of government and private sectors in Karachi. Study design and setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six intermediate colleges of Karachi from October to December 2018. Methodology: Total N=390 students aged 16-24 years were selected via non-probability convenience sampling. The study team developed a questionnaire to assess the dietary habits and barriers among the students. Results: Mean BMI of government college students was 20.41 ± 4.15 kg/m2 while that of private college students was 22.25 ± 5.43 kg/m2. The proportion of underweight participants was higher (36.8%) in government college students, and overweight students being higher in private (23.8%). Similar responses were recorded for daily meals and weekly fastfood and fruit consumption. Skipping meals was found out to be a common practice among students. Breakfast was most commonly skipped meal among both groups (23.9% & 39.2%, respectively). Watching television during meals was common in both groups (58.7% & 67.7% respectively). The majority of the students from both groups did not familiar with the term body mass index BMI (84.6% & 82.5%, respectively). Smoking was more common among the private sector, 16.9%, compared to 3.5 % of the government sector. Fruit juice was considered a healthier option (58.7% & 52.9%, respectively). Similarly, white bread against bran bread was perceived healthier by the majority in both groups (70.1% & 59.3%, respectively). Carbohydrate was reported as a major nutrient in the diet by (51.7% & 57.1% respectively). Factors like educational stress, time, will-power to maintain the diet, availability of junk food, and climate were some of the significant influencers of diet/lifestyle recorded. Conclusion: Students from both groups shared similar eating and lifestyle practices irrespective of their educational institutes’ status.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiac and vascular growth factors (GF) may influence myocardial remodeling through cardiac growth and angiogenic effects. We hypothesized that concentrations of circulating GF are associated with cardiac remodeling traits. METHODS: We related blood concentrations of vascular endothelial GF (VEGF), VEGFR-1 (sFlt1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2), soluble angiopoietin type-2 receptor (sTie2), hepatocyte GF (HGF), insulin-like GF (IGF)-1, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) to echocardiographic traits in 3151 Framingham Study participants (mean age 40 years, 55% women). We evaluated the following measures: left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMi), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), mitral E/e’, and aortic root diameter (AoR). All biomarker values were sex-standardized. RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted analyses, higher GDF-15 concentrations were associated with higher log-LVMi (β=0.009 per SD, P =0.01). Similarly, sTie2 concentrations were positively associated with log-E/e’ (β=0.011 per SD, P =0.04). IGF-1 and Ang-2 concentrations were positively and negatively associated with GLS, respectively (β(IGF-1) =0.16 per SD and β(Ang-2) =−0.15 per SD, both P

Introduction: The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has highly affected patients with comorbidities and frailty who cannot self-isolate, such as individuals undergoing haemodialysis. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for mortality and hospitalisation, which may be useful in future disease spikes. Methods: We collected data retrospectively from the electronic medical records of all patients receiving a diagnosis of COVID-19 between 11th March and 10th May 2020 undergoing maintenance haemodialysis at four satellite dialysis units from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Mortality was the primary outcome, and the need for hospitalization was the secondary one. Results: Out of 746 patients undergoing regular haemodialysis, 148 symptomatic patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and were included in the analysis. The overall mortality rate was 24.3%. By univariate analysis, older age, ischaemic heart disease, lower systolic blood pressure, lower body mass index (BMI) and higher frailty scores were associated with higher rates of mortality (all p value < 0.05). The laboratory factors associated with mortality were higher values of WBC, neutrophil counts, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), bilirubin, ferritin, troponin, and lower serum albumin level (all p value < 0.05). In the logistic regression, mortality was associated with older age and higher CRP, while high levels of NLR and CRP were associated with the need for hospitalization. Discussion: Haemodialysis patients are susceptible to COVID-19 and have a high mortality rate. Our study identifies prognostic risk factors associated with poor outcome including age, frailty and markers of inflammation, which may support more informed clinical decision-making. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Rationale and Objectives Sarcopenia is associated with adverse outcomes in clinical situations such as elderly population, in-hospital setting and oncologic patients. However, no direct measurement of muscular mass is routinely available for clinicians. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between thenar musculature of the nondominant hand evaluated by ultrasound and body fat-free mass. Materials and Methods In this one-center, cross-sectional, observational study, the width and depth of thenar muscles of both hands was assessed by ultrasonography. Nondominant hand musculature was taken as reference as a better estimator of total body muscular mass. These data were compared to body composition by bioimpedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hand grip strength, arm muscular area and physical activity (with International Physical Activity Questionnaire ). Statistical correlation was determined for each parameter. Results We obtained ultrasonographic measurements, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and hand grip strength from 83 subjects, whereas bioimpedance was performed in 64 subjects and DXA in 29 subjects. The strongest correlations were found between longitudinal thenar depth vs fat-free mass index (fat-free mass in DXA [kg]/height2 [m]) (r = 0.63, p Conclusion Ultrasonographic examination of the nondominant thenar musculature is a fast and simple way of assessing total body fat-free mass, showing a good correlation with body composition measured by bioimpedance analysis and DXA, hand grip strength and arm muscular area.

Background Birthweight has been declining consistently for more than 30 years in Japan. This rapid rise in low birthweight is one of the worst among the countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. We examined potential determinants of birthweight decline in Japan. Methods We used population-based birth certificate data from vital statistics records and retrieved 40,968,266 birth certificates of neonates born between 1980 and 2004. We analyzed time trends using linear regression analysis in examining whether the decline in birthweight could be explained by obstetrical variables such as gestational age and multiple gestations. Results From 1980 to 2004, we observed a decline in mean birthweight with a yearly effect of − 8.07 g, which became steeper after 1985, persisted until 1999, and plateaued thereafter. After adjusting for gestational age, gender, birth order, multiple gestations, and fathers’ age, the yearly effect between 1980 and 2004 persisted at − 5.13 g. Conclusion Recent decreases in birthweight among Japanese neonates were not fully explained by trends in gestational age, gender, birth order, multiple gestations, and fathers’ age. Thus, additional factors such as pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) and maternal diet should be considered. Reducing the rate of induced deliveries and improving the BMI or diet of young women should be a public health priority.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between pretreatment physical status parameters and tolerance of concurrent chemoradiation (cCHRT) and survival among patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with stage III NSCLC who had received cCHRT between 2006 and 2015. Multivariate independent associations were analysed between the pretreatment parameters age, Charlson comorbidity index, World Health Organization performance status (WHO performance status), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), maximal handgrip strength, forced expiratory volume in one second and carbon monoxide lung diffusion capacity on the one hand with tolerance of cCHRT (defined as a received radiation dose at least equal to the prescribed radiation dose) and survival on the other hand.Results 527 of 577 patients (91.3%) tolerated cCHRT. A WHO performance status >= 2 (odds ratio (OR) 0.43) and BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2) (OR 0.36) were associated with poorer tolerance of cCHRT. In the total group, a WHO performance status >= 2 (hazard ratio (HR) 1.73), low FFMI (HR 1.23) and intolerance of cCHRT (HR 1.55) were associated with poorer survival.Conclusion In patients with stage III NSCLC receiving cCHRT, poor WHO performance status and BMI< 18.5 kg/m(2) were independently associated with tolerance of cCHRT. Physical status parameters and intolerance of cCHRT were independently associated with poorer survival. Besides using this information for treatment decisions, optimizing physical status in patients at risk for intolerance of cCHRT might be a next step for improving treatment outcomes.[GRAPHICS].

Decreasing popularity of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in bariatric-metabolic surgery may be due to higher perceived peri-operative complications. There are few studies on whether preoperative weight loss can reduce complications or reoperations following RYGB. We investigated this using a standardised operative technique. Retrospective single-centre study of RYGB from 2004 to 2019 using a prospective database. Preoperative behavioural management included intentional weight loss. Maximum preoperative weight, weight on the day of operation, and Obesity-Surgery Mortality Risk Score (OS-MRS) class were recorded. Short-term outcomes (post-operative stay, 30-day complication and reoperation rates) were analysed. In 2,067 RYGB patients (1,901 primary and 166 revisional), median preoperative total body weight loss (TWL) was 6.2% (IQR: 2.5–10.7%). The median age was 46 (interquartile range (IQR) 38–54) and 80.4% were female (n=1,661). For primary surgery, the median body mass index (BMI) was 47.6 kg/m2 (IQR: 43.1–53.3). Excluding the 100-procedure learning curve, the complication rate for primary cases was 4.4% and reoperation rate of 2.8% and one peri-operative mortality (0.06%). OS-MRS ≥2 (class B or C) predicted higher risk of complications (6.1%) compared to those with a score