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1.
Long-Term Evolution of Malnutrition and Loss of Muscle Strength after COVID-19: A Major and Neglected Component of Long COVID-19.
Gérard, M, Mahmutovic, M, Malgras, A, Michot, N, Scheyer, N, Jaussaud, R, Nguyen-Thi, PL, Quilliot, D
Nutrients. 2021;(11)
Abstract
UNLABELLED Post-acute consequences of COVID-19, also termed long COVID, include signs and symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks with prolonged multisystem involvement; most often, however, malnutrition is ignored. METHOD The objective was to analyze persistent symptoms, nutritional status, the evolution of muscle strength and performance status (PS) at 6 months post-discharge in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors. RESULTS Of 549 consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between 1 March and 29 April 2020, 23.7% died and 288 patients were at home at D30 post-discharge. At this date, 136 of them (47.2%) presented persistent malnutrition, a significant decrease in muscle strength or a PS ≥ 2. These patients received dietary counseling, nutritional supplementation, adapted physical activity guidance or physiotherapy assistance, or were admitted to post-care facilities. At 6 months post-discharge, 91.0% of the 136 patients (n = 119) were evaluated and 36.0% had persistent malnutrition, 14.3% complained of a significant decrease in muscle strength and 14.9% had a performance status > 2. Obesity was more frequent in patients with impairment than in those without (52.8% vs. 31.0%; p = 0.0071), with these patients being admitted more frequently to ICUs (50.9% vs. 31.3%; p = 0.010). Among those with persistent symptoms, 10% had psychiatric co-morbidities (mood disorders, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress syndrome), 7.6% had prolonged pneumological symptoms and 4.2% had neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Obese subjects as well as patients who have stayed in intensive care have a higher risk of functional loss or undernutrition 6 months after a severe COVID infection. Malnutrition and loss of muscle strength should be considered in the clinical assessment of these patients.
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Muscle Mass Assessed by the D3-Creatine Dilution Method and Incident Self-reported Disability and Mortality in a Prospective Observational Study of Community-Dwelling Older Men.
Cawthon, PM, Blackwell, T, Cummings, SR, Orwoll, ES, Duchowny, KA, Kado, DM, Stone, KL, Ensrud, KE, Cauley, JA, Evans, WJ
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 2021;(1):123-130
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether low muscle mass is a risk factor for disability and mortality is unclear. Associations between approximations of muscle mass (including lean mass from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), and these outcomes are inconsistent. METHODS Muscle mass measured by deuterated creatine (D3Cr) dilution and appendicular lean mass (ALM, by DXA) were assessed at the Year 14 Visit (2014-2016) of the prospective Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study (N = 1,425, age 77-101 years). Disability in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and mobility tasks was self-reported at the Year 14 visit and 2.2 years later; deaths were centrally adjudicated over 3.3 years. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated per standard deviation decrement with negative binomial, logistic regression, or proportional hazards models. RESULTS In age- and clinical center-adjusted models, the relative risks per decrement in D3Cr muscle mass/wgt was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) for incident self-reported ADL disability; 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3, 1.9) for instrumental ADL disability; and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.2) for mobility disability. In age-, clinical center-, and weight-adjusted models, the relative risks per decrement in D3Cr muscle mass was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.2) for all-cause mortality. In contrast, lower DXA ALM was not associated with any outcome. Associations of D3Cr muscle mass with these outcomes were slightly attenuated after adjustment for confounding factors and the potentially mediating effects of strength and physical performance. CONCLUSIONS Low muscle mass as measured by D3Cr dilution is a novel risk factor for clinically meaningful outcomes in older men.
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Relationship of phase angle and peak torque of knee extensors with the performance in six-minute step test in haemodialysis patients.
Brito, CP, Moraes, IG, Luders, C, de Brito, CMM, Yamaguti, WP
BMC nephrology. 2021;(1):56
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease is a systemic disease affecting not only renal function, but also endocrine, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle systems, with broad impact on functionality. Therefore, the assessment of body composition, peripheral muscle function, and exercise tolerance is also of great importance in this population. In addition, the development of reliable strategies that use feasible tools in clinical practice is of great importance in the functional diagnosis, clinical management and prescription of physical activity. OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between phase angle and peak torque of knee extensors with the performance in six-minute step test of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis. METHODS Observational and cross-sectional study at Haemodialysis Centre of Sírio-Libanês Hospital. The evaluations took place 3 days before the haemodialysis sessions. On the first day, patients underwent anthropometric evaluation and biochemical tests (lactate, urea, creatinine, albumin, ferritin and growth factor similar to insulin type 1 [IGF1]). On the second day, performed electrical bioimpedance and exercise tolerance assessed using the six-minute step test. On the last day, the evaluation of knee extensor muscles strength using isokinetic dynamometry was performed. RESULTS Eighteen subjects were included, with a mean age of 62.3 ± 17.6 years. A positive linear correlation was observed between the phase angle, derived from the electrical bioimpedance, and the performance in six-minute step test in these patients. It was also possible to observe a linear correlation between phase angle and IGF1, handgrip strength, peak torque of knee extensors and quality of life questionnaire. The peak torque of knee extensors also presented a linear correlation with IGF1, the performance in six-minute step test and mal-nutrition and inflammation score. CONCLUSION Phase angle and peak torque of knee extensors were correlated with the performance in six-minute step test. Therefore, the phase angle seems to be an important marker of reduced peripheral muscle function and exercise tolerance in haemodialysis patients.
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Relationship between Energy Intake and Changes in Thigh Echo Intensity during the Acute Phase of Stroke in Older Patients with Hemiplegia.
Kokura, Y, Kato, M, Kimoto, K, Okada, Y, Habu, D
Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre. 2021;(5):493-500
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between energy intake and changes in thigh echo intensity (TEI) during the acute phase of stroke in older patients with hemiplegia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Older hemiplegic inpatients with stroke were enrolled in this post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to energy intake during the 7 days after admission as follows: energy sufficient (ES) and energy insufficient (EIS) groups. The outcome was the rate of changes in TEI of the paralyzed and nonparalyzed sides between admission and after 4 weeks. A decrease in skeletal muscle quality is defined as an increase in intramuscular adipose tissues, which shows as an increase in echo intensity. RESULTS The study included 44 males and 39 females (median age 81 years). The rate of change of TEI in each group was as follows: +4.5% in the ES/paralyzed group, +6.7% in the EIS/paralyzed group, -0.9% in the ES/nonparalyzed group, and +4.4% in the EIS/nonparalyzed group. The univariate analyses showed no significant difference in the rate of change in TEI between ES and EIS groups in both paralyzed side (p = 0.190) and nonparalyzed side (p = 0.183). Multivariate analysis showed that higher energy intake was associated with a smaller increase in the rate of change in TEI on the nonparalyzed side (B = -4.115, 95% confidence interval, -7.127 to -1.103). CONCLUSIONS Higher energy intake during 7 days after admission was associated with a smaller increase in the rate of change in TEI on the nonparalyzed side upon admission and after 4 weeks.
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Stored Energy Increases Body Weight and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Older, Underweight Patients after Stroke.
Yoshimura, Y, Wakabayashi, H, Momosaki, R, Nagano, F, Bise, T, Shimazu, S, Shiraishi, A
Nutrients. 2021;(9)
Abstract
We conducted a retrospective observational study in 170 older, underweight patients after stroke to elucidate whether stored energy was associated with gains in body weight (BW) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Energy intake was recorded on admission. The energy requirement was estimated as actual BW (kg) × 30 (kcal/day), and the stored energy was defined as the energy intake minus the energy requirement. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The study participants gained an average of 1.0 ± 2.6 kg of BW over a mean hospital stay of 100 ± 42 days with a mean stored energy of 96.2 ± 91.4 kcal per day. They also gained an average of 0.2 ± 1.6 kg of SMM and 0.5 ± 2.3 kg of fat mass (FM). This means about 9600 kcal were needed to gain 1 kg of BW. In addition, a 1 kg increase in body weight resulted in a 23.7% increase in SMM and a 45.8% increase in FM. Multivariate regression analyses showed that the stored energy was significantly associated with gains in BW and SMM. Aggressive nutrition therapy is important for improving nutritional status and function in patients with malnutrition and sarcopenia.
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Walking energetics and abductor strength are associated with physical activity in older women with hip osteoarthritis.
Foucher, KC, Huang, CH, Aydemir, B
Gait & posture. 2021;:151-156
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) can hinder physical activity in older adults for reasons that are not fully understood. Functional barriers may exist such as reduced muscle strength around the affected joint, potentially affecting physical activity. Aging-associated declines in energy capacity may also be exacerbated by OA. These factors may work together to influence physical activity in people with OA. RESEARCH QUESTION Our objective was to evaluate the combined role of walking energetics and hip abductor strength on physical activity in older women with hip OA. METHODS We evaluated 30 women with moderately symptomatic hip OA (61 ± 10 yrs; 30.7 ± 4.9 kg/m2) in this cross-sectional observational study. We measured physical activity using the UCLA activity score and quantified activity frequency and intensity using accelerometers worn for seven days (7 ± 2 days). We used a portable oxygen exchange system to measure energy used during walking at preferred speeds (relative to total energy capacity assessed using a six-minute walk test) and a dynamometer to measure hip abductor strength. We used Pearson correlations and regression analysis to test our hypotheses. RESULTS Greater energy used during walking was associated with lower self-reported physical activity (R=-0.626, p < 0.001), more sedentary time (R = 0.567, p = 0.002), and less light activity time (R=-0.644, p < 0.001). Lower hip abductor strength was associated with lower self-reported physical activity (R = 0.406, p = 0.039). While there was no association between hip abductor strength and energy used during walking, together these variables predicted 55.5 % of the variance in self-reported physical activity. SIGNIFICANCE Results suggest intervention targets to promote physical activity in this population.
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DXA-Derived Indices in the Characterisation of Sarcopenia.
Schweighofer, N, Colantonio, C, Haudum, CW, Hutz, B, Kolesnik, E, Mursic, I, Pilz, S, Schmidt, A, Stadlbauer, V, Zirlik, A, et al
Nutrients. 2021;(1)
Abstract
Sarcopenia is linked with increased risk of falls, osteoporosis and mortality. No consensus exists about a gold standard "dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) index for muscle mass determination" in sarcopenia diagnosis. Thus, many indices exist, but data on sarcopenia diagnosis agreement are scarce. Regarding sarcopenia diagnosis reliability, the impact of influencing factors on sarcopenia prevalence, diagnosis agreement and reliability are almost completely missing. For nine DXA-derived muscle mass indices, we aimed to evaluate sarcopenia prevalence, diagnosis agreement and diagnosis reliability, and investigate the effects of underlying parameters, presence or type of adjustment and cut-off values on all three outcomes. The indices were analysed in the BioPersMed cohort (58 ± 9 years), including 1022 asymptomatic subjects at moderate cardiovascular risk. DXA data from 792 baselines and 684 follow-up measurements (for diagnosis agreement and reliability determination) were available. Depending on the index and cut-off values, sarcopenia prevalence varied from 0.6 to 36.3%. Height-adjusted parameters, independent of underlying parameters, showed a relatively high level of diagnosis agreement, whereas unadjusted and adjusted indices showed low diagnosis agreement. The adjustment type defines which individuals are recognised as sarcopenic in terms of BMI and sex. The investigated indices showed comparable diagnosis reliability in follow-up examinations.
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Muscle Damage, Soreness, and Stress During Preseason Training in Collegiate Swimmers.
Rusnak, M, VanderMeulen, M, Byrd, B, Byrd, G, Rusnak, R, Martin, J, Hew-Butler, T
Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine. 2021;(3):237-243
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, 6 collegiate swimmers were hospitalized for symptomatic exertional rhabdomyolysis. OBJECTIVE To serially monitor and assess relationships between skeletal muscle membrane disruption, upper body soreness (UBS) and lower body soreness (LBS), and stress during the first 6 weeks (timepoints) of preseason training in collegiate male and female swimmers. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING College/university. PARTICIPANTS Forty swimmers. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES Upper and lower body soreness rating (0-10); testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and T/C ratio. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (over time) versus independent variables. RESULTS Weekly training load consisted of ∼87% swimming, ∼5% running, and ∼8% weight training, which increased from 15.8 hours to 20.5 total training hours per week over the first 6 weeks of training. Muscle damage in collegiate swimmers was modest and peaked after the first week of training (week 2) for men (CK = 438 ± 259 U/L; P < 0.0001; r2 = 0.28; myoglobin = 47 ± 18 ng/mL; P = 0.001; r2 = 0.22) and women (CK = 446 ± 723 U/L; P < 0.01; r2 = 0.13; myoglobin = 63 ± 140 ng/mL, not significant) with high variability. Data were presented as peak mean ± SD, significant P value, and r2 from repeated-measures analysis of variance. A temporal disconnect was noted between muscle damage and UBS, which peaked at week 5 in both men (5 ± 2; P < 0.0001; r2 = 0.44) and women (6 ± 2; P < 0.0001; r2 = 0.57). The serum cortisol level decreased over time, which peaked at week 1 (baseline) in men (15 ± 6 μg/dL; P = 0.0004; r2 = 0.38) and women (19 ± 10 μg/dL; P < 0.0001; r2 = 0.49). The testosterone level remained unchanged, which promoted an anabolic hormonal environment that peaked at week 6 (increasing T/C ratio) in men (58 ± 32; P = 0.0003; r2 = 0.31) and women (4 ± 3; P = 0.04; r2 = 0.18) despite gradual increases in training and soreness. CONCLUSIONS Muscle soreness does not parallel muscle membrane disruption. A 1-week "transition" period is required for muscles to adapt to intense/novel training.
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Body composition, muscle function and biochemical values in patients after pancreatic surgery: An observational study.
Petrolo, M, Rangelova, E, Toilou, M, Hammarqvist, F
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2021;(6):4284-4289
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The complex nature of pancreatic operation makes it a high-risk and technically demanding major abdominal procedure, resulting in early pathophysiological alterations. This study aims to observe changes in body composition, muscle function and biochemical values in patients during the early postoperative days (PODs) following pancreaticoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy. METHODS Assessment of body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy, muscle function by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximum handgrip strength (HGS), and biochemical values were measured in patients the day before surgery and on PODs 3, 6 and 9. RESULTS Significant changes occurred among 34 patients on POD 3 in body weight +2.3 (0.8-3.6) kg, total body water +2.8 (1.1-5.9) L, extracellular water +2.5 (1.2-3.7) L, intracellular water +1.1 (-0.4-1.9) L, phase angle -1.0 (-1.2 to -0.7)°, PEFR -250.0 (-407.5 to -125.0) L/m and HGS -4.8 (-7.3 to -3.0) kg, C-reactive protein +78.0 (41.0-102.8) mg/L, haemoglobin -34.5 (-45.8 to -26.0) g/L, albumin -12 (-16.5 to -10.0) g/L. CONCLUSIONS Changes in water distribution, phase angle, initial reduced muscle function and altered biochemical values were observed during the first 9 PODs.
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Guanidinoacetate-Creatine Supplementation Improves Functional Performance and Muscle and Brain Bioenergetics in the Elderly: A Pilot Study.
Seper, V, Korovljev, D, Todorovic, N, Stajer, V, Ostojic, J, Nesic, N, Ostojic, SM
Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 2021;(4):244-247