The challenge of frailty and sarcopenia in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Sarcopenia and frailty among older Chinese adults: Findings from the CHARLS study

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia and frailty are common among elderly individuals and present substantial health hazards. Exploring their relationship is essential for optimizing geriatric healthcare, particularly within the context of China.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional design was employed using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The study enrolled 5,714 participants aged ≥60 years who underwent assessment for sarcopenia following the criteria established by the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS 2019) in 2019. Frailty status was determined using a frailty index that categorized participants into robustness, pre-frailty, and frailty stages. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationship between sarcopenia and frailty and pre-frailty conditions. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed to explore the robustness of the associations between sarcopenia and frailty across different subgroups.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 1,028 (18.0%) were identified as frailty, 2,987 (52.3%) as pre-frailty, and 645 (11.3%) had sarcopenia. Sarcopenia demonstrated an independent association with higher risks of frailty (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.52-2.99) and pre-frailty (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.20-1.81) in the multivariable logistic analysis. Subgroup and interaction analyses consistently demonstrated significant associations across nearly all demographic and health-related subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that sarcopenia is significantly and independently associated with frailty and pre-frailty among older adults in China. Early detection and targeted interventions for sarcopenia are crucial to mitigate frailty and its adverse health outcomes in aging populations, emphasizing the need for tailored healthcare strategies to promote healthy aging.

Effects of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab on Skeletal Muscle Volume and Cardiac Function in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacological treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) includes sorafenib and lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which are linked to low serum levels of carnitine and reduced skeletal muscle volume. Nowadays, atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) combination therapy is recommended as the first-line treatment for patients with uHCC. However, the association with decreased muscle mass or cardiac function is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of Atezo/Bev on skeletal muscle volume and cardiac function in patients with uHCC.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 55 adult Japanese patients with chronic liver diseases and uHCC treated with Atezo/Bev. Patients were divided into three groups according to age: middle, preold, and old. Serum levels of carnitine and cardiac function were measured before and after 3 weeks of treatment. The psoas muscle index (PMI) was measured before and after 6 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment, the global longitudinal strain was significantly lower in the old group, whereas the PMI and ejection fraction were significantly lower in the preold and old groups. However, no significant difference in serum levels of total carnitine and those fractions with treatment in each group was found. Cardiac function decreased in the preold and old groups.

CONCLUSION

When treating patients with uHCC by Atezo/Bev, caution should be taken in preold and old patients because they are vulnerable to decreased skeletal muscle mass and deterioration of cardiac function. Strength training and regular monitoring of cardiac function are encouraged in these groups.

Sarcopenia emerges as a risk factor for cardiac diastolic dysfunction: a new focus for research

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac diastolic dysfunction (left ventricular diastolic dysfunction [LVDD]) is a well-known predictor of heart failure. We hypothesized that sarcopenia is independently associated with diastolic dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the association of the most recent consensus definition of sarcopenia with LVDD.

METHODS

We included 121 older participants admitted to a cardiology outpatient clinic. We followed the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 definition of confirmed sarcopenia (presence of low muscle mass and low muscle strength). We estimated skeletal muscle mass with bioimpedance analysis and muscle strength by hand grip strength via a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer. Skeletal muscle mass was adjusted by body mass index. LVDD was determined by echocardiographic parameters measured per American Society of Echocardiography recommendations. We ran multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for well-known risk factors for diastolic dysfunction (i.e., age, sex, obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease) to detect whether sarcopenia was independently associated with diastolic dysfunction. We gave results in odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Mean age was 69.9 ± 5.8 years, and 38.8% of participants were male. Confirmed sarcopenia was detected in 34.7%, and diastolic dysfunction was detected in 19.8%. In univariate analyses, sarcopenia was associated with diastolic dysfunction (OR, 6.7, 95% CI, 2.4-18.9). Regression analyses showed that two parameters, sarcopenia (OR, 7.4, 95% CI, 2.1-26.6, P = 0.002) and obesity (OR, 5.0, 95% CI, 1.03-24.6, P = 0.046), were associated with diastolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed sarcopenia to be a new risk factor for diastolic dysfunction, adding to its known risk factors. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the factors underlying their copresence.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment

The aetiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is heterogenous and overlaps with that of several comorbidities like atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, valvular heart disease, iron deficiency, or sarcopenia. The diagnosis of HFpEF involves evaluating cardiac dysfunction through imaging techniques and assessing increased left ventricular filling pressure, which can be measured directly or estimated through various proxies including natriuretic peptides. To better narrow down the differential diagnosis of HFpEF, European and American heart failure guidelines advocate the use of different algorithms including comorbidities that require diagnosis and rigorous treatment during the evaluation process. Therapeutic recommendations differ between guidelines. Whilst sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors have a solid evidence base, the recommendations differ with regard to the use of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis. Unless indicated for specific comorbidities, the use of beta-blockers should be discouraged in HFpEF. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the current state of the art in HFpEF diagnosis, clinical evaluation, and treatment.

Association between sarcopenia and frailty in middle-aged and elder population: Findings from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

Background

The relationship between sarcopenia and frailty among middle-aged and elder adults remains unclear. This study conducted a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis to investigate the association of sarcopenia and frailty in the middle-aged and elder Chinese population.

Methods

Our data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Sarcopenia status was assessed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria and categorised into: no sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia. A 38-item deficit-accumulation frailty index was constructed to assess frailty trajectories at each visit. Generalised linear regression models were performed to analyse the cross-sectional associations between sarcopenia and frailty index. The Group-based trajectory modelling was adopted to identify potential frailty trajectories, and we then examined the associations of sarcopenia and frailty trajectories using logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 13 218 participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional analysis and 4200 individuals were included in the longitudinal study. The cross-sectional study found that possible sarcopenia (regression coefficient (β) = 0.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64-0.87, P < 0.001), sarcopenia (β = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37-0.75, P < 0.001) and severe sarcopenia (β = 1.35; 95% CI = 0.97-1.73, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher frailty index. The longitudinal study indicated that participants with possible sarcopenia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.77-3.42, P < 0.001), sarcopenia (OR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.27-2.74, P < 0.001) and severe sarcopenia (OR = 6.57; 95% CI = 3.14-13.77, P < 0.001) had a higher risk of accelerated progression of frailty compared to those with no sarcopenia.

Conclusions

Possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were associated with higher levels of frailty and accelerated progression of frailty. Therefore, clinical medical professionals should pay more attention to frailty status in individuals who have possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia.

Association of Cardiovascular Fibrosis, Remodeling, and Dysfunction With Frailty, Prefrailty, and Functional Performance: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is associated with higher incidence of frailty. However, the nature of the mechanisms underlying this association remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify cardiovascular phenotypes most associated with physical frailty and functional performance in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

METHODS

As part of the MESA study, 3 045 participants underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography between 2010 and 2012. Of these, 1 743 completed a Six-Minute Walk test (6MWT) and questionnaires (follow-up exam: 2016-2018) which were used to generate a binary combined frail/prefrail versus robust score according to a modified FRAIL Scale (self-report questionnaire). Multivariable logistic (binary frail outcome) or linear (6MWT) regression assessed the association between frailty and cardiovascular structure and function, aortic stiffness, coronary artery calcium, and myocardial fibrosis (ECV, extracellular volume fraction).

RESULTS

Participants were 66 ± 8 years, 52% female at the time of imaging, and 29.4% were classified as frail or prefrail. Older age and female gender were associated with greater odds of being in the frail/prefrail group. Concentric left ventricular remodeling (odds ratio [OR] 1.89, p = .008; Coef. -52.9, p < .001), increased ECV (OR 1.10, p = .002; Coef. -4.0, p = .001), and worsening left atrial strain rate at early diastole (OR 1.56, p ≤ .001; Coef. -22.75, p = .027) were found to be associated with a greater likelihood of being in a frail state and lower 6MWT distance (m). All associations with 6MWT performance were attenuated with adjustments for risk factors whereas ECV and LA strain rate remained independently associated with frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a significant overlap in pathways associated with subclinical cardiac dysfunction, cardiovascular fibrosis, and physical frailty.

Usefulness of the cardiopulmonary exercise test up to the anaerobic threshold for pati-ents aged ≥ 80 years with cardiovascular disease on cardiac rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

A cardiopulmonary exercise test provides information regarding appropriate exercise intensity, but there have been few reports on its use in patients over 80 years of age.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

PATIENTS

A total of 511 cardiovascular disease patients who performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test from February 2011 to January 2020 were investigated.

METHODS

Patients were stratified according to age: < 70 years, 70-79 years, and ≥ 80 years, and the results of the cardiopulmonary exercise test up to anaerobic threshold were compared.

RESULTS

Patients in the < 70 age bracket showed higher oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide output, and ventilatory volume and lower ventilation equivalents per oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output in all time periods. However, there were no significant differences in these parameters or the work rate (70-79 years of age: 41.4 ± 11.7 watts, vs ≥ 80 years: 42.2 ± 10.9 watts, p = 0.95) or oxygen consumption per body weight at anaerobic threshold (12.2 ± 0.2 ml/min/kg, vs 12.1 ± 0.4 ml/min/kg, p = 0.97) between the 70-79 year age bracket and the ≥  80 year age bracket.

CONCLUSION

Even for cardiovascular disease patients age ≥ 80 years, a cardiopulmonary exercise test up to anaerobic threshold can supply useful information for guiding cardiac rehabilitation.

Relationship between quadriceps femoris echotexture biomarkers and muscle strength and physical function in older adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Muscle wasting is pronounced in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The quadriceps femoris echotexture biomarkers assessed by ultrasound (US) have not been studied in these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe echotexture biomarkers assessed by the US and to assess their relationship with sex, age, body mass index (BMI), self-reported outcomes, muscle strength and physical function in older adults with HFpEF.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients 70 years and older with HFpEF were included. The sex, age, BMI, and self-reported outcomes were collected. The US assessed muscle and subcutaneous fat tissue contrast, correlation, energy, homogeneity, and entropy at rest and maximal voluntary isometrical contraction (MVIC). The six-minute walk test (6MWT), the short physical performance battery (SPPB), the timed up and go test (TUG), the usual pace gait speed test (UGS), and the fast pace gait speed test (FGS) were used to assess physical function. The five-repetitions sit-to-stand test (5-STS) was performed to assess muscle strength. Bivariant Pearson correlations and subsequent multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Seventy-two older adults with HFpEF [81.06 years, 29.13 BMI, and 55.60% females] were recruited. In women, relaxed and MVIC muscle energy and entropy explained 35.40% of the TUG variance; relaxed muscle entropy and MVIC muscle energy shared 24.00% of the UGS variance; relaxed and MVIC muscle entropy, MVIC muscle contrast and MVIC muscle energy explained 32.60% of the FGS variance, adjusted all the models by age and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Echotexture biomarkers are related to women's muscle strength and physical function, especially muscle energy, contrast, and entropy. Echotexture biomarkers assessed by the US could facilitate the management of older adults with HFpEF, monitor its progression and assess the effectiveness of treatments on the musculoskeletal structure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03909919. April 10, 2019. Retrospectively registered.

Caloric Restriction Rejuvenates Skeletal Muscle Growth in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major clinical problem, with limited treatments. HFpEF is characterized by a distinct, but poorly understood, skeletal muscle pathology, which could offer an alternative therapeutic target. In a rat model, we identified impaired myonuclear accretion as a mechanism for low myofiber growth in HFpEF following resistance exercise. Acute caloric restriction rescued skeletal muscle pathology in HFpEF, whereas cardiac therapies had no effect. Mechanisms regulating myonuclear accretion were dysregulated in patients with HFpEF. Overall, these findings may have widespread implications in HFpEF, indicating combined dietary with exercise interventions as a beneficial approach to overcome skeletal muscle pathology.

Differences in Functional Capacity between Oncologic and Non-Oncologic Populations: Reference Values

This study is focused on the fact that in the context of increasing global aging and cancer diagnoses, additional challenges arise in clinical care. Adequate functionality and body composition are key to coping with antineoplastic treatment, which can lead to better treatment tolerance, survival, and quality of life. This is a cross-sectional comparative study focused on the assessment and comparison of body composition and functionality between cancer patients and a reference population, with the aim of establishing meaningful baseline values. Techniques such as manual dynamometry, the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand test, and bioimpedance were used to collect data from 374 oncologic patients and 1244 reference individuals. The results reveal significant disparities in functionality and body composition among participants, and provide age group-specific adjusted baseline values for those diagnosed with cancer. These findings may have crucial clinical implications for applying particular cut-off points designed for this population group, which makes the assessment process faster and more accurate, enhances the capacity of medical personnel to act quickly, and improves the management of frailty in cancer patients.

Sarcopenia and frailty in inflammatory bowel disease: Emerging concepts and evidence

Sarcopenia is a condition marked by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function while frailty is a multidimensional concept characterized by diminished physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Both of these were previously considered as related to aging and shown to impact the quality of life and carry prognostic significance. Emerging data show that both sarcopenia and frailty carry similar relevance in chronic illness. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and malnourishment, both of which contribute to the development of sarcopenia by increasing protein breakdown and reducing protein synthesis. The coexistence of frailty further compounds the clinical complexity of IBD patients. Published evidence suggests a bidirectional association with IBD contributing to muscle wasting, while the resultant sarcopenia and frailty could further exacerbate the disease course. Sarcopenia and frailty are independently associated with adverse outcomes, including hospitalizations, increased surgical interventions, and surgical complications. As therapeutic strategies for IBD evolve, understanding the nuanced relationship between inflammatory bowel disease, sarcopenia, and frailty is crucial for devising holistic management. Comprehensive care should encompass not only disease-modifying therapies but also interventions targeting frailty and sarcopenia, as they have been shown to have a significant impact not only on the disease course but also on the quality of life. Future research could focus on further elucidating underlying mechanisms, simple screening strategies, and developing targeted interventions to improve the overall quality of life for individuals grappling with the complex interplay of IBD, sarcopenia, and frailty.

Associations of medicine use and ejection fraction with the coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia in a sample of heart failure outpatients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Frailty and sarcopenia have been extensively studied in heart failure (HF) patients, but their coexistence is unknown. The aim of this work is to describe the coexistence of these conditions in a sample of HF outpatients and its association with the use of medication and left-ventricular ejection fraction.

METHODS

Participants in this cross-sectional study were recruited from a HF outpatients' clinic in northern Portugal. Frailty phenotype was assessed according to Fried et al. Sarcopenia was evaluated according to the revised consensus of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People.

RESULTS

A total of 136 HF outpatients (33.8% women, median age 59 years) integrated this study. Frailty and sarcopenia accounted for 15.4% and 18.4% of the sample, respectively. Coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia was found in 8.1% of the participants, while 17.6% had only one of the conditions. In multivariable analysis (n = 132), increasing age (OR = 1.13;95%CI = 1.06,1.20), being a woman (OR = 65.65;95%CI = 13.50, 319.15), having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (OR = 5.61; 95%CI = 1.22, 25.76), and using antidepressants (OR = 11.05; 95%CI = 2.50, 48.82), anticoagulants (OR = 6.11; 95%CI = 1.69, 22.07), furosemide (OR = 3.95; 95%CI = 1.07, 14.55), and acetylsalicylic acid (OR = 5.01; 95%CI = 1.10, 22.90) were associated with increased likelihood of having coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia, while using statins showed the inverse effect (OR = 0.06; 95%CI = 0.01, 0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

The relatively low frequency of coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia signifies that each of these two conditions still deserve individual attention from health professionals in their clinical practice and should be screened separately. Being a woman, older age, having HFpEF, using anticoagulants, antidepressants, loop diuretics and acetylsalicylic acid, and not using statins, were associated with having concomitant frailty and sarcopenia. These patients can potentially benefit from interventions that impact their quality of life such as nutritional and mental health interventions and exercise training.

Physical Frailty May Predict 2-Year Prognosis in Elderly Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction - A Report From the FLAGSHIP Study

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are a high-risk population for heart failure (HF), but the association between physical frailty and worsening prognosis, including HF development, has not been documented extensively.

METHODS AND RESULTS

As part of the FLAGSHIP study, we enrolled 524 patients aged ≥70 years hospitalized for AMI and capable of walking at discharge. Physical frailty was assessed using the FLAGSHIP frailty score. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of all-cause death and HF rehospitalization within 2 years after discharge. The secondary outcome was all-cause death and HF rehospitalization. After adjusting for confounders, physical frailty showed a significant association with an increased risk of the composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR]=2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-4.22, P=0.040). The risk of HF rehospitalization increased with physical frailty, but the association was not statistically significant (HR=2.14, 95% CI: 0.84-5.44, P=0.110). Physical frailty was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause death (HR=1.45, 95% CI: 0.49-4.26, P=0.501).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that physical frailty assessment serves as a stratifying tool to identify high-risk populations for post-discharge clinical events among ambulant elderly patients with AMI.

Sarcopenic obesity definitions and their associations with physical frailty in older Brazilian adults: data from the SARCOS study

Objective

To identify the obesity diagnosis with the highest association with physical frailty associated with sarcopenia EWGSOP II (sarcopenic obesity).

Subjects and methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 371 community-dwelling older adults. Appendicular skeletal lean mass and total body fat (TBF) were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and physical frailty was defined using Fried's criteria. The phenotypes were identified according to the presence of sarcopenia by EWGSOP II and obesity, which was diagnosed using two concepts: BMI obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and TBF obesity (percentage of TBF ≥ 35% for women and ≥ 25% for men). Finally, the association of each group with physical frailty was evaluated.

Results

The mean age was 78.15 ± 7.22 years. Sarcopenia EWGSOP II was diagnosed in 19.8% (n = 73), body mass index obesity was identified in 21.8% (n = 81), TBF obesity was identified in 67.7% (n = 251), and physical frailty was identified in 38.5% (n = 142). In a regression analysis for frailty, sarcopenic TBF obesity presented an odds ratio of 6.88 (95% confidence interval 2.60-18.24; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In older Brazilian adults, sarcopenic obesity diagnosed by TBF obesity has a robust association with frailty and is independent of body mass index.

Relationship between quadriceps femoris muscle architecture and muscle strength and physical function in older adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure (HF)-related factors potentially lead to sarcopenia. Ultrasound (US) assessment has all the advantages of being used in clinical practice to assess muscle architecture. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle architecture with the gender, age, body mass index (BMI), muscle strength and physical function in older adults with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as well as to assess the difference in these relationships between the two genders. Patients 70 years and older with HFpEF were included. The gender, age and BMI were collected. The QF muscle thickness, the QF muscle echo-intensity, the subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (FT) and the subcutaneous fat tissue echo-intensity were assessed by the US. The six-minute walk test, the short physical performance battery (SPPB), the timed up and go test (TUG), and the gait speed test (UGS) were used to assess physical function. The five-repetitions sit-to-stand test (5-STS) was performed to assess muscle strength. Bivariant Pearson correlations and subsequent multivariate linear regression analysis were conducted. Seventy older adults with HFpEF [81.00 (5.97) years] were recruited. The FT showed a correlation between poor and moderate muscle strength and physical function in women with HFpEF. The FT explained 24.5% of the 5-STS variance, 32.4% of the SPPB variance, 31.5% of the TUG variance, 28.6% of the UGS variance, and 21.4% of the FGS variance in women. The US assessment could allow clinicians to assess muscle architecture biomarkers related to muscle strength and physical function in older adults with HFpEF.Trial registration NCT03909919. April 10, 2019. Retrospectively registered.

Biomarkers and the quadriceps femoris muscle architecture assessed by ultrasound in older adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is an important comorbidity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The ultrasound (US) assessment has all the advantages of being used in primary care to assess muscle quantity and quality. Some biomarkers could be indicative of muscle mass loss.

AIMS

To describe the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the quadriceps femoris assessed by US in older adults with HFpEF and to assess the relationship of the blood and urinary biomarkers, the polypharmacy and comorbidities with US outcomes in older adults with HFpEF.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. 76 older adults with HFpEF were included. The quadriceps femoris muscle thickness (MT, cm), the subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (FT, cm), the muscle echo intensity (MEI) and the subcutaneous fat tissue echo intensity (FEI) were assessed by US in a non-contraction (non-con) and contraction (con) situations. Polypharmacy, comorbidities, blood and urine biomarkers were also collected.

RESULTS

The carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125), the folic acid and the urine creatinine shared the 86.6% variance in the non-con MT, adjusted by age, sex and body mass index (BMI). The folic acid shared the 38.5% of the variance in the con MT, adjusted by age, sex and BMI. The glycosylated haemoglobin explained the 39.6% variance in the non-con MEI, adjusted by age, sex and BMI. The chlorine (Cl-) explained the 40.2% of the variance in the non-con FT, adjusted by age, sex and BMI. The polypharmacy and the folic acid explained the 37.9% of variance in the non-con FEI, while the polypharmacy and the thyrotropin (TSH) shared the 44.4% of variance in the con FEI, both adjusted by age, sex and BMI. No comorbidities, polypharmacy, or blood and urinary biomarkers could explain the con MEI and the con FT variance.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood and urinary biomarkers obtained in routine analyses could help clinicians detect US outcome changes in older adults with HFpEF and identify a worsening of sarcopenia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03909919. April 10, 2019. Retrospectively registered.

Diagnostic performance of nutritional indicators in patients with heart failure

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of the nutritional indicators, the mini nutritional assessment‐short form (MNA‐SF), the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the controlling nutritional status (CONUT), in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods and results

Nutritional status was prospectively assessed by the aforementioned three nutritional indicators in 150 outpatients with HF who were then followed for 1 year. The prevalence of patients with the nutritional risk as assessed by the MNA‐SF, GNRI, and CONUT scores was 50.0%, 13.3%, and 54.0%, respectively. There was slight agreement of nutritional risk assessment between the MNA‐SF and GNRI scores (κ coefficient = 0.16), as well as the GNRI and CONUT scores (κ = 0.11), but poor agreement between the MNA‐SF and CONUT scores (κ = −0.09). The CONUT score had the lowest area under the curve (AUC) for the identification of low body weight, low muscle mass, and low physical function among the three indicators (all P < 0.05). Compared with the MNA‐SF score, both the GNRI and CONUT scores had lower AUCs for the identification of reduced dietary intake and weight loss (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in predicting all‐cause mortality or HF rehospitalization among the three indicators. The prescription of statins reduced the diagnostic performance of the CONUT score, as the CONUT score includes cholesterol level assessment.

Conclusions

Of the three indicators, the diagnostic ability of the MNA‐SF score was the highest, and that of the CONUT score was the lowest, for the assessment of HF patient nutritional status. The CONUT score may misrepresent nutritional status, particularly in patients receiving statins.

Are maximum respiratory pressures predictors of sarcopenia in the elderly?

Objective:

To compare maximum respiratory pressures and spirometric parameters among elderly individuals classified as having no sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia, and confirmed sarcopenia, and to test the ability of these variables to discriminate sarcopenia in a community-dwelling elderly population.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study involving 221 elderly (≥ 60 years of age) individuals of both sexes. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in accordance with the new consensus of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Maximum respiratory pressures and spirometry parameters were assessed.

Results:

The prevalences of probable sarcopenia and confirmed sarcopenia were 20.4% and 4.1%, respectively. Regardless of the sex, those with confirmed sarcopenia had significantly lower MEP than those with no sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia, whereas only males with confirmed sarcopenia presented with significantly lower MIP than did the other individuals. There was an inverse association of MIP and MEP with sarcopenia, indicating that the decrease by 1 cmH₂O in these parameters increases the chance of sarcopenia by 8% and 7%, respectively. Spirometric parameters were not associated with sarcopenia. Cutoff points for MIP and MEP, respectively, were ≤ 46 cmH₂O and ≤ 50 cmH₂O for elderly women, whereas they were ≤ 63 cmH₂O and ≤ 92 cmH₂O for elderly men, and both were identified as predictors of sarcopenia (area under the ROC curve > 0.70).

Conclusions:

Sarcopenia was associated with lower maximum respiratory pressures, but not with spirometric parameters. Maximum respiratory pressures can be used as markers of sarcopenia in a community-dwelling elderly population regardless of the sex.

Left ventricular mass index‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio predicts outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims

Increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) disproportionate to electrocardiographic QRS voltage has been reported to be associated with cardiac fibrosis and amyloid infiltration to myocardium. This study aimed to assess whether the LVMI‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio predicts clinical outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods and results

The Japanese Heart Failure Syndrome with Preserved Ejection Fraction (JASPER) registry is a nationwide, observational, and prospective registration of Japanese patients hospitalized with HFpEF (EF ≥ 50%). LVMI was assessed by echocardiography using the cube formula. QRS voltage was assessed by Sokolow–Lyon voltage criteria. We divided 290 patients in the registry who met inclusion criteria into five groups according to the quintile values of their LVMI‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio. In the highest quintile group (≥71.8 g/m²/mV), approximately 50% of the patients had concentric hypertrophy and 30% had eccentric hypertrophy. These patients had the highest proportion of atrial fibrillation (61.4%) and history of pacemaker implantation (12.1%) among the five groups (P < 0.05). During the mean follow‐up of 587 ± 300 days, 31.4% of all patients met the composite endpoint of all‐cause death or rehospitalization for HF. Even after adjustment for demographic and baseline variables, the highest quintile group had a significantly higher incidence of the composite endpoints than the lowest quintile group (<30.7 g/m²/mV) (hazard ratio: 2.205, 95% confidence interval: 1.106–4.395, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

A high LVMI‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio is independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

Sarcopenia, Precardial Adipose Tissue and High Tumor Volume as Outcome Predictors in Surgically Treated Pleural Mesothelioma

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the prognostic value of Sarcopenia, low precardial adipose-tissue (PAT), and high tumor-volume in the outcome of surgically-treated pleural mesothelioma (PM).

METHODS

From 2005 to 2020, consecutive surgically-treated PM-patients having a pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scan were retrospectively included. Sarcopenia was assessed by CT-based parameters measured at the level of the fifth thoracic vertebra (TH5) by excluding fatty-infiltration based on CT-attenuation. The findings were stratified for gender, and a threshold of the 33rd percentile was set to define sarcopenia. Additionally, tumor volume as well as PAT were measured. The findings were correlated with progression-free survival and long-term mortality.

RESULTS

Two-hundred-seventy-eight PM-patients (252 male; 70.2 ± 9 years) were included. The mean progression-free survival was 18.6 ± 12.2 months, and the mean survival time was 23.3 ± 24 months. Progression was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (p = <0.001), tumor-stage (p = 0.001), and type of surgery (p = 0.026). Three-year mortality was associated with higher patient age (p = 0.005), presence of COPD (p < 0.001), higher tumor-stage (p = 0.015), and higher tumor-volume (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier statistics showed that sarcopenic patients have a higher three-year mortality (p = 0.002). While there was a negative correlation of progression-free survival and mortality with tumor volume (r = 0.281, p = 0.001 and r = -0.240, p < 0.001; respectively), a correlation with PAT could only be shown for epithelioid PM (p = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia as well as tumor volume are associated with long-term mortality in surgically treated PM-patients. Further, while there was a negative correlation of progression-free survival and mortality with tumor volume, a correlation with PAT could only be shown for epithelioid PM.

High Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Are Associated With Sarcopenia Risk in Hospitalized Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients

Purpose

This study aimed i) to identify the best cutoff points of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) that predict sarcopenia and ii) to illustrate the association between sarcopenia risk and NLR or PLR in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients undergoing laparoscopic partial or radical nephrectomy.

Methods

A total of 343 RCC patients who underwent laparoscopic partial or radical nephrectomy between 2014 and 2019 were enrolled in our study. Sarcopenia was assessed by lumbar skeletal muscle index (SMI). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the best cutoff point of NLR or PLR to predict sarcopenia risk. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and dose–response analysis curves of restricted cubic spline function were conducted to assess the relationship between sarcopenia and NLR or PLR.

Results

The best cutoff points of NLR >2.88 or PLR >135.63 were confirmed by the ROC curve to predict sarcopenia risk. Dose–response curves showed that the risk of sarcopenia increased with raising NLR and PLR. Patients with NLR >2.88 or PLR >135.63 had a higher sarcopenia risk than those in the NLR ≤2.8 or PLR ≤135.63 group, respectively. By adjusting for all variables, we found that patients with NLR >2.88 and PLR >135.63 had 149% and 85% higher risk to develop sarcopenia, respectively, than those with NLR ≤2.8 (aOR = 2.49; 95% CI = 1.56–3.98; p < 0.001) or PLR ≤135.63 (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.16–2.95; p = 0.010).

Conclusion

In RCC patients receiving laparoscopic partial or radical nephrectomy, NLR and PLR, which were biomarkers of systemic inflammation, were associated with sarcopenia risk.

Rationale and Study Design of Differences in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Capacity According to Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction and Body Composition in Patients with Suspected Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is one of the mechanisms of myocardial ischemia and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, which is closely related to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Frailty, associated with sarcopenia, is often accompanied by HFpEF. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the relationship between CMD, body composition, and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with suspected HFpEF. We will enroll patients experiencing chest symptoms (chest pain or dyspnea) with an indication of non-obstructive coronary artery disease (<50% stenosis) on coronary angiography and preserved LV ejection fraction (≥50%) on echocardiography. All patients will undergo body composition analysis and adenosine stress echocardiography with the evaluation of coronary artery blood flow and maximal oxygen consumption by cardiopulmonary exercise test. LV end-diastolic pressure will be assessed using coronary angiography. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is defined as the ratio of the peak to the baseline mean diastolic velocity of coronary blood flow. A CFR <2.3 is defined as coronary microvascular dysfunction. The correlation of CFR and body composition with LV diastolic function and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity will be assessed. This trial will suggest the specific phenotypes of HFpEF according to body composition and CMD and the specific management of the different phenotypes of HFpEF.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04822649.

Characteristics and outcomes of heart failure with recovered left ventricular ejection fraction

Aims

There is an emerging interest in elucidating the natural history and prognosis for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in whom left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) subsequently improves. The characteristics and outcomes were compared between heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF) and persistent HFrEF.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective study of adults who underwent at least two echocardiograms 3 months apart between 1 November 2015 and 31 October 2019 with an initial diagnosis of HFrEF. The subjects were divided into HFrecEF group (second LVEF > 40%, ≥10% absolute improvement in LVEF) and persistent HFrEF group (<10% absolute improvement in LVEF) according to the second LVEF. To further study the characteristics of HFrecEF patients, the cohort was further divided into LVEF improvement of 10–20% and >20% subgroups. The primary outcomes were all‐cause mortality and rehospitalization. A total of 1160 HFrEF patients were included [70.2% male, mean (standard deviation) age: 62 ± 13 years]. On the second echocardiogram, 284 patients (24.5%) showed HFrecEF and 876 patients (75.5%) showed persistent HFrEF. All‐cause mortality was identified in 23 (8.10%) HFrecEF and 165 (18.84%) persistent HFrEF, whilst 76 (26.76%) and 426 (48.63%) showed rehospitalizations, respectively. Survival analysis showed that the persistent HFrEF subgroup experienced a significantly higher mortality at 12 and 24 months and a higher hospitalization at 12, 24, 48, and more than 48 months following discharge. Multivariate Cox regression showed that persistent HFrEF had a higher risk of all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 2.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49–3.56, P = 0.000] and rehospitalization (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.45–2.36, P = 0.000) than the HFrecEF group. Subgroup analysis showed that the LVEF ≥ 20% improvement subgroup had lower rates of adverse outcomes compared with those with less improvement of 10–20%.

Conclusions

Heart failure with recovered ejection fraction is a distinct HF phenotype with better clinical outcomes compared with those with persistent HFrEF. HFrecEF patients have a relatively better short‐term mortality at 24 months but not thereafter.

Prefrailty, impairment in physical function, and risk of incident heart failure among older adults

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the association between prefrailty and the risk of heart failure (HF) among older adults.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective, community-based cohort study included participants from the Atherosclerotic Risk in Communities study who underwent detailed frailty assessment using Fried Criteria and physical function assessment using the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB) score. Individuals with prevalent HF and frailty were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Adjusted association between prefrailty (vs robust), physical function measures (SPPB score, grip strength, and gait speed), and incident HF (overall and HF subtypes, HF with reduced [HFrEF, EF < 50%] and preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]) were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Among 5210 participants (mean age 75 years, 58% women), 2565 (49.2%) were identified as prefrail. In cross-sectional analysis, prefrail individuals had a higher burden of chronic myocardial injury (troponin, Std β = 0.08 [0.05-0.10]) and neurohormonal stress (NT-ProBNP, Std β = 0.03 [0.02-0.05]) after adjustment for potential confounders. Over a median follow-up of 4.6 years, there were 232 (4.5%) HF events (HFrEF: 102; HFpEF: 97). Prefrailty was associated with an increased risk of HF after adjusting for potential clinical confounders and cardiac biomarkers (aHR [95% CI] = 1.65 [1.24-2.20]). Among HF subtypes, prefrailty was associated with an increased risk of HFpEF but not HFrEF (aHR [95% CI] = 1.73 [1.11-2.70] and 1.38 [0.90-2.10], respectively). A lower SPPB score was also associated with an increased risk of overall HF and HFpEF, but not HFrEF. Among individual components, increased gait speed were associated with a lower risk of HFpEF, but not HFrEF.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Subtle abnormalities in physiological reserve (prefrailty) and impairment in physical function (SPPB) were both significantly associated with a higher risk of incident HF, particularly HFpEF. These findings highlight the potential role of routine assessment of geriatric syndromes for early identification of HF risk.

Factors associated with physical, psychological and social frailty among community-dwelling older persons in Europe: a cross-sectional study of Urban Health Centres Europe (UHCE)

BACKGROUND

Frailty is an age-related condition resulting in a state of increased vulnerability regarding functioning across multiple systems. It is a multidimensional concept referring to physical, psychological and social domains. The purpose of this study is to identify factors (demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and health indicators) associated with overall frailty and physical, psychological and social frailty in community-dwelling older people from five European countries.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 2289 participants of the Urban Health Center European project in five European countries. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations of the factors with overall frailty and the three frailty domains.

RESULTS

The mean age was 79.7 (SD = 5.7). Participants who were older, were female, had secondary or equivalent education, lived alone, not at risk of alcohol use, were less physically active, had multi-morbidity, were malnourished or with a higher level of medication risk, had higher odds of overall frailty (all P < 0.05). Age was not associated with psychological and social frailty; sex was not associated with social frailty; smoking and migration background was not associated with overall frailty or any of its domains. There existed an interaction effect between sex and household composition regarding social frailty (P < 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study contributed new insights into the risk factors for frailty and its three domains (physical, psychological and social frailty). Nurses, physicians, public health professionals and policymakers should be aware of the risk factors of each type of frailty. Furthermore, examine these risk factors more comprehensively and consider overall frailty as well as its three domains in order to further contribute to decision-making more precisely on the prevention and management of frailty.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The intervention of the UHCE project was registered in the ISRCTN registry as ISRCTN52788952 . The date of registration is 13/03/2017.

Pathophysiology of Exercise Intolerance and Its Treatment With Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the fastest growing form of heart failure in the United States. The cardinal feature of HFpEF is reduced exercise tolerance (peak oxygen uptake, (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak) secondary to impaired cardiac, vascular, and skeletal muscle function. There are currently no evidence-based drug therapies to improve clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF. In contrast, exercise training is a proven effective intervention for improving (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak, aerobic endurance, and quality of life in HFpEF patients. This brief review discusses the pathophysiology of exercise intolerance and the role of exercise training to improve (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak in clinically stable HFpEF patients. It also discusses the mechanisms responsible for the exercise training-mediated improvements in (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2peak in HFpEF. Finally, it provides evidence-based exercise prescription guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation specialists to assist them with safely implementing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs for HFpEF patients.

Inspiratory Muscle Weakness is Related to Poor Short-Term Outcomes for Heart Transplantation

INTRODUCTION

In heart transplantation (HT) recipients, several factors are critical to promptly adopting appropriate rehabilitation strategies and may be important to predict outcomes way after surgery. This study aimed to determine preoperative patient-related risk factors that could adversely affect the postoperative clinical course of patients undergoing HT.

METHODS

Twenty-one hospitalized patients with heart failure undergoing HT were evaluated according to respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity before HT. Mechanical ventilation (MV) time, reintubation rate, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay were recorded, and assessed postoperatively.

RESULTS

Inspiratory muscle strength as absolute and percentpredicted values were strongly correlated with MV time (r=-0.61 and r=-0.70, respectively, at P<0.001). Concerning ICU length of stay, only maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) absolute and percent-predicted values were significantly associated. The absolute |MIP| was significantly negatively correlated with ICU length of stay (r=-0.58 at P=0.006) and the percent-predicted MIP was also significantly negatively correlated with ICU length of stay (r=-0.68 at P=0.0007). No associations were observed between preoperative functional capacity, age, sex, and clinical characteristics and MV time and ICU length of stay in the cohort included in this study. Patients with respiratory muscle weakness had a higher prevalence of prolonged MV, reintubation, and delayed ICU length of stay.

CONCLUSION

An impairment of preoperative MIP was associated with poorer short-term outcomes following HT. As such, inspiratory muscle strength is an important clinical preoperative marker in patients undergoing HT.

Handgrip Strength-Related Factors Affecting Health Outcomes in Young Adults: Association with Cardiorespiratory Fitness

OBJECTIVES

Handgrip strength (HS) is a risk factor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases. However, the influencing factors and mechanisms contributing to this correlation remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore factors related to HS and investigated the mechanism underlying its risk predictive value.

METHODS

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. One hundred forty-five participants were recruited from December 2019 to November 2020. HS was measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer and adjusted for body mass index (HSBMI) and body surface area (HSBSA). Body composition was assessed via bioimpedance spectroscopy. Physical fitness was measured using a cardiopulmonary exercise test system. Univariate, multiple linear regression analyses and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) were conducted to evaluate the associations between various participant characteristics and HS.

RESULTS

The average participant age was 21.68 ± 2.61 years (42.8% were male). We found positive correlations between HSBMI/HSBSA and VO2max, VEmax, Loadmax, and METmax in both sexes (p < 0.05). Lean-tissue, protein, total water, and inorganic salt percentages were positively correlated, and fat percentage was negatively correlated with HSBMI in men and with HSBMI and HSBSA in women (p < 0.05). Multiple regression revealed that VO2max was independently associated with HSBSA in both sexes (β = 0.215, 0.173; 95%confidence interval [CI] = 0.032 - 0.398, 0.026-0.321; p = 0.022, 0.022, respectively) and independently associated with HSBMI in women (β = 0.016, 95%CI = 0.004 - 0.029, p = 0.011). ROC analysis showed that HSBMI and HSBSA can moderately identify normal VO2max in men (area under curve [AUC] = 0.754, 0.769; p = 0.002, 0.001, respectively) and marginally identify normal VO2max in women (AUC = 0.643, 0.635; p = 0.029, 0.042, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI- and BSA-adjusted HS could serve as indicators of physical health, and HSBSA may moderately reflect cardiorespiratory fitness levels in healthy young adults, particularly in males. Clinical trials registry site and number: China Clinical Trial Center (ChiCTR1900028228).

Longitudinal birth cohort study finds that life-course frailty associates with later-life heart size and function

A frailty index (FI) counts health deficit accumulation. Besides traditional risk factors, it is unknown whether the health deficit burden is related to the appearance of cardiovascular disease. In order to answer this question, the same multidimensional FI looking at 45-health deficits was serially calculated per participant at 4 time periods (0–16, 19–44, 45–54 and 60–64 years) using data from the 1946 Medical Research Council (MRC) British National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD)—the world’s longest running longitudinal birth cohort with continuous follow-up. From these the mean and total FI for the life-course, and the step change in deficit accumulation from one time period to another was derived. Echocardiographic data at 60–64 years provided: ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (LVmassi, BSA), myocardial contraction fraction indexed to BSA (MCF_i) and E/e′. Generalized linear models assessed the association between FIs and echocardiographic parameters after adjustment for relevant covariates. 1375 participants were included. For each single new deficit accumulated at any one of the 4 time periods, LVmass_i increased by 0.91–1.44% (p < 0.013), while MCF_i decreased by 0.6–1.02% (p < 0.05). A unit increase in FI at age 45–54 and 60–64, decreased EF by 11–12% (p < 0.013). A single health deficit step change occurring between 60 and 64 years and one of the earlier time periods, translated into higher odds (2.1–78.5, p < 0.020) of elevated LV filling pressure. Thus, the accumulation of health deficits at any time period of the life-course associates with a maladaptive cardiac phenotype in older age, dominated by myocardial hypertrophy and poorer function.

Heart failure assessed based on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels negatively impacts activity of daily living in patients with hip fracture

Several studies have shown that nutrition and muscle strength were associated with functional recovery in patients with hip fracture. However, the impact of heart failure on the improvement of activity of daily living (ADL) in patients with hip fracture have not been fully investigated. The purpose was investigating the effect of heart failure on the ADL improvement by rehabilitation in patients with hip fracture. A total of 116 patients with hip fracture discharged from our convalescent rehabilitation ward were studied. Heart failure was assessed based on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels on admission. ADL was assessed based on rehabilitation effectiveness (REs), which was calculated using the FIM instrument. Clinical, demographic, and nutritional variables were measured. Multiple regression analysis was performed with REs as the dependent variable; variables showing significant correlation with REs in univariate analyses were selected as independent variables. Based on plasma BNP levels, we assigned 39 patients to a Low group: 22 (17−25) median (interquartile) pg/mL, 39 to a Middle group: 52 (42−65) pg/mL, and 38 to a High group: 138 (93−209) pg/mL. REs, handgrip strength, Hb, albumin, and GNRI were higher and age was younger in the Low group than High group (each p < 0.01, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age (p < 0.05), sex (p < 0.05), handgrip strength (p < 0.01), FOIS at admission (p < 0.01), rehabilitation time per day (p < 0.01), and BNP (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with REs. The effect of rehabilitation on ADL improvement was significantly blunted in the High group compared to the Low group. In conclusion, these results suggest that heart failure assessed based on plasma BNP levels negatively impacts improvements in ADL achieved through rehabilitation in patients with hip fracture.

Role of Human Body Composition Analysis and Malnutrition Risk Questionnaire in the Assessment of Nutritional Status of Patients With Initially Diagnosed Crohn's Disease

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the role and necessity of human body composition analysis in assessing the nutritional status of initially diagnosed Crohn's disease (CD) patients.

Methods: A total of 47 initially diagnosed CD patients were recruited. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), body fat mass, body fat percent, visceral fat area (VFA), and body cell mass were determined with the Biospace Inbody S10 composition analyzer.

Results: In 47 patients with initially diagnosed CD, SMI could determine the muscular mass reduction that could not be determined by the body mass index (BMI) (35.3%), albumin (ALB) (65.6%), nutrition risk screening (NRS)2002 (25.0%), and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) (55.6%). FFMI could determine the malnutrition that could not be determined by the BMI (58.8%), albumin (90.6%), NRS2002 (50.0%), and PG-SGA (55.6%). VFA in the fistulizing CD patients was significantly higher than in the stricturing and non-fistulizing, non-stricturing patients (P < 0.05). SMI and BMI had the same performance (P = 1.000) and general consistence (Kappa = 0.487, P = 0.001) in the assessment of malnutrition; SMI and ALB had different performance (P < 0.001) and inconsistence was noted (Kappa = 0.069, P = 0.489) in the assessment of malnutrition; the results of the nutrition assessment were different between SMI and NRS2002 (P = 0.002), and inconsistence was observed (Kappa = 0.190, P = 0.071). SMI and PG-SGA had the same performance in the assessment of nutrition (P = 0.143), but there was inconsistence (Kappa = 0.099, P = 0.464). FFMI and BMI had general consistence in the assessment of malnutrition (Kappa = 0.472, P < 0.001), but the positive rate determined by FFMI (85.1%) was markedly higher than that by BMI (63.8%) (P = 0.002). FFMI and ALB had different performance in the assessment of malnutrition (P < 0.001) and there was inconsistence (Kappa = −0.008, P = 0.877). FFMI and NRS2002 had the same performance in the assessment of malnutrition (P = 0.453), but the consistence was poor (Kappa = 0.286, P = 0.039). The results determined by SMI and PG-SGA were consistent (P = 0.727), but the consistence was poor (Kappa = 0.399, P = 0.006).

Conclusion: Human body composition analysis can identify the patients with muscular mass reduction that cannot be identified by commonly used nutrition assessment scales/parameters. Thus, it is helpful for the assessment of disease severity and also important for the nutrition assessment in CD patients.

Cardiac Manifestations of Sarcopenia

OBJECTIVES

Screening questions for sarcopenia used in the community (SARC-F) may be regarded as indicators of exercise tolerance.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

We tested the hypothesis that community-living older people who are screened positive for sarcopenia using the SARC-F tool but without a history of heart failure (HF) have a higher prevalence of cardiac abnormalities compared with those who are SARC-F negative.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were recruited from a territory-wide primary care needs assessment for older people based in community centres, and from non-acute hospitals in the same region as the study centre.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants with a total score of >=4 and who did not have any history of HF were invited to attend for further cardiac assessment. Grip strength, walking speed, and the 6-minute walk test and echocardiography were carried out. Patients with frailty and at least Grade II diastolic dysfunction were considered to have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) if they also had concomitant elevated N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of at least 300 pg/ml.

RESULTS

Diastolic dysfunction (DD) was significantly associated with SARC-F score >=4 and higher circulating NT-proBNP levels. ROC curves evaluating the predictive values of SARC-F, HGS and gait speed for DD showed that a combination of SARC-F and HGS or gait speed provided significant incremental value in predicting DD.

CONCLUSIONS

Community living older people with sarcopenia detected using a simple questionnaire have a higher prevalence of DD accompanied by elevated NT proBNP. Addition of hand grip strength or walking speed improve the magnitude of the association. SARC-F may be used as a tool to detect early cardiac dysfunction in the community.

Sarcopenic Obesity in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a public health epidemic that is projected to double over the next two decades. Despite the high prevalence of HFpEF, there are currently no FDA approved therapies for health-related outcomes in this clinical syndrome making it one the greatest unmet needs in cardiovascular medicine. Aging and obesity are hallmarks of HFpEF and therefore there is a high incidence of sarcopenic obesity (SO) associated with this syndrome. The presence of SO in HFpEF patients is noteworthy as it is associated with co-morbidities, worsened cardiovascular health, hospitalizations, quality of life, and mortality. Furthermore, SO plays a central role in exercise intolerance, the most commonly reported clinical symptom of this condition. The aim of this review is to provide insights into the current knowledge pertaining to the contributing pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes associated with HFpEF-related SO. Current and prospective therapies to address SO in HFpEF, including lifestyle and pharmaceutical approaches, are discussed. The urgent need for future research aimed at better understanding the multifaceted physiological contributions to SO in HFpEF and implementing interventional strategies to specifically target SO is highlighted.

Sarcopenia in Cirrhosis: Looking Beyond the Skeletal Muscle Loss to See the Systemic Disease

Sarcopenia is a common complication of cirrhosis and is defined as a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality. How sarcopenia and muscle wasting relate to such poor outcomes requires looking beyond the overt muscle loss and at this entity as a systemic disease that affects muscles of vital organs including cardiac and respiratory muscles. This review explores the pathophysiological pathways and mechanisms that culminate in poor outcomes associated with sarcopenia. This provides a launching pad to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention and optimization to improve patient outcomes.

Exercise benefits in cardiovascular disease: beyond attenuation of traditional risk factors

Despite strong scientific evidence supporting the benefits of regular exercise for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), physical inactivity is highly prevalent worldwide. In addition to merely changing well-known risk factors for systemic CVD, regular exercise can also improve cardiovascular health through non-traditional mechanisms. Understanding the pathways through which exercise influences different physiological systems is important and might yield new therapeutic strategies to target pathophysiological mechanisms in CVD. This Review includes a critical discussion of how regular exercise can have antiatherogenic effects in the vasculature, improve autonomic balance (thereby reducing the risk of malignant arrhythmias), and induce cardioprotection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury, independent of effects on traditional CVD risk factors. This Review also describes how exercise promotes a healthy anti-inflammatory milieu (largely through the release of muscle-derived myokines), stimulates myocardial regeneration, and ameliorates age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, a frequently overlooked non-traditional CVD risk factor. Finally, we discuss how the benefits of exercise might also occur via promotion of a healthy gut microbiota. We argue, therefore, that a holistic view of all body systems is necessary and useful when analysing the role of exercise in cardiovascular health.

[Relationship of sarcopenic obesity with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in elderly patients with diabetes]

AIM

This study aimed to examine the relationship of obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity (SO) with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in elderly patients with diabetes.

METHODS

Subjects included in this study were patients with diabetes ≥65 years of age and who were receiving treatment on an outpatient basis at the Ise Red Cross Hospital. To determine the presence of LVDD, we divided the early diastolic left ventricular filling velocity (E) by the early mitral annular motion velocity (E') (E/E'), which was measured using tissue Doppler imaging. To evaluate sarcopenia, SARC-F-J, a self-administered questionnaire consisting of five items, was used. Obesity was defined as a body mass index >25. Using a multiple logistic regression analysis with LVDD as the dependent variable and sarcopenia, obesity, and SO as explanatory variables, we calculated the odds ratios of LVDD for each variable.

RESULTS

The subjects were 291 (157 male and 134 female) patients. Among male patients, the odds ratios after moderating for LVDD in the sarcopenia, obese, and SO groups were 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI) ], 0.20 to 3.27, P=0.784), 1.92 (95% CI, 0.69 to 5.32, P=0.207), and 6.41 (95% CI, 1.43 to 28.53, P=0.015), respectively, whereas among female patients, these ratios were 1.31 (95% CI, 0.31 to 5.51, 0.708), 1.41 (95% CI, 0.45 to 4.37, P=0.551), and 3.18 (95% CI, 0.93 to 10.9, P=0.064), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In male elderly patients with diabetes, SO was significantly correlated with LVDD. We believe that it is important to consider LVDD when examining male elderly patients with SO.

Utility of the FRAIL Questionnaire in Detecting Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVE

To test the utility of the FRAIL questionnaire as a screening tool for heart failure.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study.

SETTING

Chinese older people in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants aged 60 years and over were recruited from a territory-wide primary care needs assessment for older people based in community centers as well as two nonacute hospitals.

MEASUREMENTS

Questionnaire administered included the five-item FRAIL scale, and information regarding sociodemographic data, smoking and alcohol use, history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and heart failure symptoms. Handgrip strength, walking speed and 6 minute walk distance were recorded. Cardiac assessment included electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and blood assay for N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

RESULTS

The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was high, being 52% in the robust group, increasing to 65% in the pre-frail and 85% in the frail group. This finding is accompanied by a corresponding increase in NT-proBNP from 64.18 pg/ml in the robust group, to 118.57 pg/ml in the pre-frail and 167.98 pg/ml in the frail group. Three of the five components of the FRAIL scale, fatigue, resistance and ambulation, were associated with increased odds ratios of diastolic dysfunction among those aged 75 years and older, while resistance alone was associated with increased odds ratio among those less than 75 years old.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and frailty screening may be used to detect undiagnosed HFpEF. The findings support the proposal that HFpEF be considered a geriatric syndrome.

Association between Sarcopenia and Overactive Bladder in Elderly Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between sarcopenia and overactive bladder (OAB) in elderly diabetic patients using the Japanese version of SARC-F called SARC-F-J.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included 329 elderly diabetic patients (aged ≥65 years) who regularly visited the outpatient clinic at Community hospital in Japan.

MEASUREMENTS

The condition of OAB was evaluated using the OAM symptom score, which involves a self-administered questionnaire, and sarcopenia was evaluated using the self-administered SARC-F-J questionnaire comprising five items. The odds ratio for OAB due to sarcopenia was calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis, with OAB as the dependent variable and sarcopenia as the explanatory variable.

RESULTS

A total of 329 patients (186 males, 143 females) were included for analysis in the present study. Of these patients, 22.9% had sarcopenia and 18.7% had OAB. After adjusting the variables, the odds ratio for OAB due to sarcopenia was 4.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-17.36, P = 0.031) and 2.09 (95% CI, 0.52-8.26, P = 0.293) for males and females, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study found that sarcopenia was significantly associated with OAB in elderly diabetic male patients based on SARC-F-J. Moreover, the possibility of the development of OAB should be considered during the medical examinations of elderly diabetic male patients with sarcopenia.

Nutritional risk index as a predictor of mortality in acutely decompensated heart failure

BACKGROUND

We investigated the role of nutritional risk index (NRI) in predicting 1-year mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

METHODS

Among 5,625 cohort patients enrolled in Korean Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) Registry, a total of 5,265 patients who were possible to calculate NRI [NRI = (1.519 x serum albumin [g/dl]) + (41.7 x weight [kg]/ideal body weight [kg])] were enrolled. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the NRI quartile; Q1 <89 (n = 1121, 69.9 ± 14.5 years, 632 males), Q2 89-95 (n = 1234, 69.7 ± 14.4 years, 677 males), Q3 95-100 (n = 1199, 68.8 ± 14.0 years, 849 males), Q4 >100 (n = 1711, 65.6 ± 14.5 years, 779 males). Primary end-point was all-cause mortality at 1-year clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

The 1-year mortality was significantly increased as the NRI quartile decreased, and the lowest NRI quartile was associated with the highest 1-year mortality (Q1: 27.5% vs. Q2: 20.9% vs. Q3: 12.9% vs. Q4: 8.7%, linear p <0.001). On Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the significant inter-quartile difference was observed (p <0.001 for all). In multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard regression, the lowest NRI quartile was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality in patients with ADHF.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor nutritional status as assessed by NRI and quartile grading of NRI was associated with 1-year mortality in Korean patients with ADHF. The assessment of nutritional status by NRI may provide additional prognostic information and thus would be useful in the risk stratification of the patients with ADHF.

SARC-F questionnaire identifies physical limitations and predicts post discharge outcomes in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease

Background A simple and inexpensive sarcopenia screening tool would be beneficial in clinical practice. This study was performed to determine whether SARC-F questionnaire can be used to identify physical limitations and poor prognosis in elderly cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients.Methods The study population consisted of 257 Japanese patients ≥65 years old admitted to our hospital for CVD. Prior to discharge from hospital, SARC-F, handgrip strength, usual gait speed, short physical performance battery score, and 6-minute walking distance were measured in all patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to SARC-F score: SARC-F <4 and SARC-F ≥4. The study endpoint was the first occurrence of all-cause emergency readmission or all-cause mortality.Results The prevalence rate of SARC-F ≥4 was 26.8%, and increased with age and number of comorbidities. Even after adjusting for covariates, physical function was significantly poorer and the risks of physical function measurements below the critical cut-off values were higher in the SARC-F ≥4 group compared to the SARC-F <4 group. Sixty (23.3%) patients were readmitted and 17 (6.6%) died over a median follow-up period of 11 months (interquartile range: 6–13 months). SARC-F score was a significant predictor of adverse events after discharge. Patients with SARC-F ≥4 showed higher event risk than those with SARC-F <4 (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.78; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–3.07; P = 0.040).Conclusions SARC-F questionnaire is useful to identify patients at high risk of physical limitations and to predict post-discharge outcomes in elderly CVD patients.

Prospective association between handgrip strength and cardiac structure and function in UK adults

BACKGROUND

Handgrip strength, a measure of muscular fitness, is associated with cardiovascular (CV) events and CV mortality but its association with cardiac structure and function is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine if handgrip strength is associated with changes in cardiac structure and function in UK adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), mass (M), and mass-to-volume ratio (MVR) were measured in a sample of 4,654 participants of the UK Biobank Study 6.3 ± 1 years after baseline using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Handgrip strength was measured at baseline and at the imaging follow-up examination. We determined the association between handgrip strength at baseline as well as its change over time and each of the cardiac outcome parameters. After adjustment, higher level of handgrip strength at baseline was associated with higher LVEDV (difference per SD increase in handgrip strength: 1.3ml, 95% CI 0.1-2.4; p = 0.034), higher LVSV (1.0ml, 0.3-1.8; p = 0.006), lower LVM (-1.0g, -1.8 --0.3; p = 0.007), and lower LVMVR (-0.013g/ml, -0.018 --0.007; p<0.001). The association between handgrip strength and LVEDV and LVSV was strongest among younger individuals, while the association with LVM and LVMVR was strongest among older individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Better handgrip strength was associated with cardiac structure and function in a pattern indicative of less cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. These characteristics are known to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events.