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Acuracy and Concordance of Anthropometric Indicators and Body Composition in Heart Failure

Abstract

Background:

Anabolic/catabolic disorder in heart failure (HF) favors cardiac cachexia, implying a reduction in HF survival.

Objectives:

To assess the accuracy and concordance of the diagnosis of protein malnutrition and excess fat among the anthropometric and body composition methods in individuals with HF.

Method:

A study of accuracy that included 60 individuals with HF. Body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT), arm muscle circumference (AMC) and corrected arm muscle area (cAMA). Fat free mass index (FFMI) and body fat percentage (BF%), obtained by electrical bioimpedance (EBI), were used to compare the diagnosis of protein malnutrition and excess fat. Accuracy was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. The concordance of the EBI diagnosis and other methods was performed by the chi-square test and kappa (k) statistic, where p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Higher frequencies of protein malnutrition were identified by cAMA and AMC, and excess fat by BF%. BMI presented low sensitivity (43%) and accuracy (38.5%), with moderate concordance (0.50). AMC sensitivity was 86%, accuracy 66.4%, and acceptable concordance (0.36) compared to FFMI. Similar percentages of moderate sensitivity and low accuracy were observed for TST and BMI.

Conclusion:

AMC may be useful to identify protein malnutrition and TST has not been adequate to diagnose adiposity. BMI was not sensitive to assess muscle and adipose reserve. EBI was more accurate.

Keywords:
Heart Failure; Nutrition Assessment, Anthropometry; Body Composition; Cachexia

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the heart’s inability to supply the body’s metabolic demands or to do so at the expense of high filling pressures as a result of structural or functional abnormalities of the heart.11 Ponikowski P, Voors AA, Anker SD, Bueno H, Cleland JGF, Coats AJS, et al. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J. 2016;37(27):2129-200. It is the common final pathway of a number of cardiac diseases that determine activation of the neurohormonal and inflammatory axis and energetic metabolism, resulting in cardiac cachexia, worsening the prognosis and greater morbidity and mortality of individuals with HF.22 Von Haehling S. The wasting continuum in heart failure: from sarcopenia to cachexia. Proc Nutr Soc. 2015;74(4):367-77. On the other hand, overweight protects individuals with HF, which is called the “obesity paradox”.33 Carbone S, Lavie CJ, Arena R. Obesity and Heart Failure: Focus on the Obesity Paradox. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(2):266-79.

In this context, methods of anthropometric assessment and body composition are proposed, but without consensus.44 Lin H, Zhang H, Lin Z, Li X, Kong X, Sun G. Review of nutritional screening and assessment tools and clinical outcomes in heart failure. Heart Fail Rev. 2016;21(5):549-65. Although the body mass index (BMI) does not clearly reflect body composition, low values for this index have been associated with worse prognosis in individuals with HF, whereas increased values act as a protective factor.55 Lavie CJ, Milani R V., Ventura HO, Romero-Corral A. Body composition and heart failure prevalence and prognosis: getting to the fat of the matter in the "Obesity Paradox". Mayo Clin Proc. 2010;85(7):605-8.,66 Oreopoulos A, Padwal R, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Fonarow GC, Norris CM, McAlister FA. Body mass index and mortality in heart failure: A meta-analysis. Am Heart J. 2008;156(1):13-22. The evaluation of triceps skinfold thickness (TST) is a way of identifying adiposity in these individuals and is related to the prognosis of the disease.77 Zuchinali P, Souza GC, Donner Alves F, Sanches K, D'Almeida M, Goldraich LA, et al. Triceps skinfold as a prognostic predictor in outpatient heart failure. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013;101(5):434-41. Other parameters of indirect musculature assessment, such as the arm muscle circumference (AMC) and corrected arm muscle area (cAMA) are widely accepted, but there are few studies that consolidate its use in HF.88 Cederholm T, Bosaeus I, Barazzoni R, Bauer J, Van Gossum A, Klek S, et al. Diagnostic criteria for malnutrition e An ESPEN Consensus Statement. Clin Nutr. 2015;34(3):335-40. Another parameter used as an indicator of musculature reserve is the adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT).99 Lameu EB, Gerude MF, Corrêa RC, Lima KA. Adductor pollicis muscle: a new anthropometric parameter. Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo. 2004;59(2):57-62.

More accurate methods for assessing body composition, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are costly and difficult to perform.1010 Alves FD, Souza GC, Biolo A, Clausell N. Comparison of two bioelectrical impedance devices and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to evaluate body composition in heart failure. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2014;27(6):632-8. As an alternative, electrical bioimpedance (EBI) has been suggested and can be used to evaluate the prognosis and follow-up of individuals with HF.1111 Lyons KJ, Bischoff MK, Fonarow GC, Horwich TB. Noninvasive bioelectrical impedance for predicting clinical outcomes in outpatients with heart failure. Crit Pathw Cardiol. 2017;16(1):32-6. However, the higher cost of acquiring the equipment makes anthropometry the most feasible method for outpatient evaluation and follow-up, despite its still questionable sensitivity and accuracy.1212 Martins KA, Monego ET, Paulinelli RR, Freitas-Junior R. Comparison of methods to evaluate total body fat and its distribution. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2011;14(4):677-87.

Given the controversies between the methods of anthropometric evaluation and body composition in individuals with HF, and the scarcity of specific indicators in the literature, the objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and concordance of the diagnosis of protein malnutrition and excess fat among anthropometric and body composition methods.

Methods

Selection of participants and study design

The accuracy study was developed at Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes (HUOL) - UFRN/Natal, in Ambulatório Interprofissional de Insuficiência Cardíaca (AMIIC). This study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of Onofre Lopes University Hospital / UFRN (Nº: CAAE 59827516.2.0.0.0.0.5292). All individuals signed an Informed Consent Form.

Inclusion criteria were adult and elderly individuals of both sexes, with a diagnosis of HF, according to the Boston point system and the Framingham criteria, confirmed by the Doppler echocardiogram. The study did not include adolescents, pregnant women, patients with cognitive deficit, with renal dysfunction and under dialysis, and consumptive diseases such as cancer. Individuals with pacemaker, metal valve, orthopedic prostheses/metal implants on the left or right side, as well as those with abnormal limb or trunk limitations, amputation and/or dystrophies were not included.1313 Kyle UG, Bosaeus I, De Lorenzo AD, Deurenberg P, Elia M, Gómez JM, et al. Bioelectrical impedance analysis - Part II: Utilization in clinical practice. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1430-53.

We considered a convenience sample composed of individuals with HF followed up on an outpatient basis. Of 112 individuals enrolled from January to November 2017, 60 individuals were included in the study. The most frequent causes of sample losses included refusals to participate and the presence of exclusion criteria.

The participants came for a routine outpatient visit and were examined by the medical staff for their cardiac condition, including clinical history and clinical examination, to determine functional capacity and classify HF based on disease progression, according to the American Heart Association criteria, investigation of the etiology and type of HF and left ventricular ejection fraction. The clinical data were collected by going through the participants’ online records. For anthropometric and body composition assessment, the participants were instructed to do a food and liquid fasting and to exercise for at least 8 hours before the evaluation.1313 Kyle UG, Bosaeus I, De Lorenzo AD, Deurenberg P, Elia M, Gómez JM, et al. Bioelectrical impedance analysis - Part II: Utilization in clinical practice. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1430-53.

Anthropometric evaluation and body composition

Anthropometric and body composition assessment was performed by a single well trained anthropometrist with calibrated equipment. The intraevaluator technical error of measurements (TEM).1414 Norton K, Olds T.(eds). Anthropometrica. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press; 1996. The score assigned according to the TEM calculations was of TST (1.03), for the APMT (0.77) and perimeter of the arm circumference (AC) (0.31), characterizing the evaluator as capable of taking the measurements. The evaluation was performed twice and a third measurement was taken in case of discrepancy to obtain the mean.

To measure body mass, a digital scale with capacity of 150 kg and 0.1 kg precision (Balmak Premium®) was used. Stature was measured using a stadiometer. BMI was calculated and classified according to cut-off points proposed by the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System.1515 Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Orientações básicas para a coleta, processamento, análise de dados e informação em serviços de saúde. Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional. SISVAN. Brasilia;2004; 2004.

AC and TST measurements were taken as defined in standardized protocols. TST was evaluated using a Lange Skinfold Caliper® and classified according to Frisancho.1616 Frisancho A. Anthropometric Standards for the Assessment of Growth and Nutritional Status. Ann Arbor (MI): University of Michigan Press; 1990.,1717 Lohman TG, Roche AF, Martorell R. Anthropometric standardization reference manual. Champaign IL: Human Kinetics Books; 1988. AC and TST measurements were used to calculate the anthropometric indicators of muscle reserve, arm muscle circumference (AMC) and corrected arm muscle area (cAMA), according to Frisancho.1616 Frisancho A. Anthropometric Standards for the Assessment of Growth and Nutritional Status. Ann Arbor (MI): University of Michigan Press; 1990. The APMT measurement was assessed according to previously published guidelines, considering the classification proposed by Lameu.99 Lameu EB, Gerude MF, Corrêa RC, Lima KA. Adductor pollicis muscle: a new anthropometric parameter. Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo. 2004;59(2):57-62.

Body composition was assessed using a tetrapolar EBI (Biodynamics 450®) to analyze the body compartments of fat free mass, fat mass and water. The measurement was taken with the individual lying down with the limbs apart and the emitter electrodes placed on the surface of the hand and right foot at the midpoint between the distal prominences of the radius and ulna of the right wrist and between the medial and lateral malleolus of the right ankle.1313 Kyle UG, Bosaeus I, De Lorenzo AD, Deurenberg P, Elia M, Gómez JM, et al. Bioelectrical impedance analysis - Part II: Utilization in clinical practice. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1430-53.

For the diagnosis of protein malnutrition, the fat free mass index (FFMI) was used, corresponding to the ratio between the amount in kilograms of fat free mass (FFM) obtained by electrical bioimpedance and the squared height (FFM/height2), considering the following cutoff points: 15 kg/m2 for women and 17 kg/m2 for men.1818 Sanz-París A, Omez-Candela CG, Martín-Palmero A, García-Almeida JM, Burgos-Pelaez R, Matía-Martin P, et al. Application of the new ESPEN definition of malnutrition in geriatric diabetic patients during hospitalization: A multicentric study. Clin Nutr. 2016;35(6):1564-7. Excess fat was classified according to sex, age and fat percentage evaluated by the EBI, using the following reference values: for women aged 20-39 years (≥ 33%); 40-59 years (≥ 34%); 60-79 years (≥ 36%), for men aged 20-39 years (≥ 20%), aged 40-59 years (≥ 22%); 60-79 years (≥ 25%).1919 Gallagher D, Heymsfield SB, Heo M, Jebb SA, Murgatroyd PR, Sakamoto Y. Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr.2000;72(3):694-701,2020 Medronho RA. Epidemiologia. 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro:Atheneu; 2009. P.259-61,

Statistical analyses

In the descriptive analysis of the continuous variables, mean and standard deviation were used. Absolute and percentage frequencies were calculated for the binary and categorical variables. To demonstrate the frequencies of anthropometric variables, absolute frequencies, percentages and their respective 95% confidence intervals were considered.

Accuracy assessment was performed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and the proportion of correct anthropometric measurements compared to FFMI for the diagnosis of malnutrition (muscular depletion) and the EBI %FM for the diagnosis of overweight. The formula A=(a+d)/(a+b+c+d) was used. Diagnoses of protein malnutrition and overweight with accuracy and sensitivity above 60% were considered acceptable.2020 Medronho RA. Epidemiologia. 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro:Atheneu; 2009. P.259-61,

For the concordance analysis, the observed concordance and the expected concordance for the Kappa statistic calculation were calculated at first. The Kappa index values ​​were determined by the concordance classification according to Landis and Koch,2121 Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics. 1977;33(1):159. which establishes the following classifications: poor (Kappa equal to 0), light (Kappa between 0-0,20), acceptable (Kappa between 0.21-0.40), moderate (Kappa 0.41 to 0.60), substantial (Kappa 0.61 to 0.80) and excellent (Kappa 0.81 to 1.0). Statistical analyses were performed using the software IBM® SPSS® 13.0 and Epi InfoTM 7.2.2.2.

Results

The mean age of the individuals was 55.3 (13) years, predominantly males (70%), and diagnosis of HF with non-ischemic etiology (55%). Significant percentages of individuals with hypertension (70%) were found. Most individuals were in functional class I (76.7%), despite the diagnosis of 60% of the individuals with reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF). The BMI revealed that the study population presented average values ​​indicative of overweight and total body water (TBW) percentage within normality (Table 1).

Table 1
Biodemographic, clinical, anthropometric and body composition characteristics of patients with HF

It was found that protein malnutrition, when evaluated by cAMA (43.9%) and AMC (40%), was more frequent when compared to FFMI (13.2%), BMI (11.7%) and APMT (5.1). There was similarity in the diagnoses of excess fat indicators, where BF was the one that identified a higher frequency of excess fat (63.5) (Table 2).

Table 2
Frequency of muscle depletion and excess adiposity/body fat in patients with HF

Analyzing the indicators of accuracy of anthropometric measures related to protein malnutrition, it was found that BMI presented low sensitivity (43%) and accuracy (38.5%), but moderate concordance (0.50). On the other hand, AMC presented greater sensitivity (86%) and accuracy (66.4%) with acceptable concordance (0.36) compared to FFMI, being considered acceptable for the diagnosis of protein malnutrition. It was not possible to calculate the accuracy and concordance for the cAMA and APMT indicators because one of the categories presented a null value (Table 3).

Table 3
Accuracy and concordance between anthropometric methods and fat free mass index in the evaluation of protein malnutrition in patients with HF

Regarding overweight, the anthropometric measures related to BF% revealed similarity between the percentage of sensitivity of the TST (60%) and BMI (67%) indicators, as well as low accuracy (20.3% and 22.2%, respectively). Considerable concordance values ​​were found for both indicators, compared to BF% (Table 4).

Table 4
Accuracy and concordance between anthropometric methods and BF% indicator in the evaluation of excess fat and adiposity in patients with HF

Discussion

This pioneering study certifies the complexity of anthropometric assessment and body composition in individuals with HF. The results showed that there was a higher frequency of excess fat/weight than of protein malnutrition in our population diagnosed with HF. Among the methods of anthropometric evaluation reviewed, AMC was considered more sensitive for the diagnosis of protein malnutrition, despite the lower concordance with EBI. Indicators of excess fat/adiposity presented similar results and low sensitivity.

Comorbidities diagnosed in individuals with HF may coexist or even be the cause of the disease, having a negative impact on the quality of life, increasing the frequency of hospitalization and mortality.2222 Dai S, Walsh P, Wielgosz A, Gurevich Y, Bancej C, Morrison H. Comorbidities and mortality associated with hospitalized heart failure in Canada. Can J Cardiol . 2012;28(1):74-9. In this study, a higher frequency of arterial hypertension was observed, as found in other studies that also identified higher frequencies of this comorbidity, in addition to diabetes mellitus.2323 Sakaguchi T, Yasumura K, Nishida H, Inoue H, Furukawa T, Shinouchi K, et al. Quantitative assessment of fluid accumulation using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Circ J. 2015;79(12):2616-22.

One fact that caught our attention was that more than half of the participants had reduced ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF), but from a clinical point of view, they were classified as functional class I. This is opposed to the findings reported by Garlet. et al.,2424 Garlet AB, Cardoso DM, Santos TD, Pereira SN, Albuquerque IM. Relação entre classe funcional e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo em pacientes com doença coronariana candidatos. Sci Med (Porto Alegre). 2017;27(3):292-6. whose data revealed that individuals with HF evaluated in functional class I presented higher LVEF than those in functional class II, III or IV. At this point, it can be said that the inconsistent data can be due to the fact that the individuals with HF in our study are followed up, in an outpatient setting, by a well-structured interprofessional and multidisciplinary team, reinforcing that high-quality multidisciplinary care can benefit individuals with HF in the prevention or early detection of acute decompensation.2525 Riley JP, Masters J. Practical multidisciplinary approaches to heart failure management for improved patient outcome. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2016;18(Suppl G):G43-52.,2626 Gandhi S, Mosleh W, Sharma UC, Demers C, Farkouh ME, Schwalm JD. Multidisciplinary heart failure clinics are associated with lower heart hospitalization and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis. Can J Cardiol. 2017;33(10):1237-44.

It is important to know the state of clinical compensation of individuals with HF upon anthropometric and body composition evaluation, as it may have repercussions on inaccuracies due to the inability to follow the evaluation protocols in the presence of symptoms. In our study, it was found that the participants had body water volume within the acceptable ranges. It has been found that the total body water volume of individuals with compensated HF is reported to be equal to that of normal individuals.2323 Sakaguchi T, Yasumura K, Nishida H, Inoue H, Furukawa T, Shinouchi K, et al. Quantitative assessment of fluid accumulation using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Circ J. 2015;79(12):2616-22. Studies evaluating total, intercellular and extracellular body water volumes in individuals with HF, either followed up in an outpatient setting or not, but who were compensated at the time of the evaluation, found results similar to those of this study.2727 Santos JJA, Plewka JEA, Brofman PRS. Qualidade de vida e indicadores clínicos na insuficiência cardíaca: análise multivariada. Arq Bras Cardiol.2009;93(2):149-56.

28 Nomoto H, Satoh Y, Kamiyama M, Yabe K, Masumura M, Sakakibara A, et al. Mechanisms of diuresis for acute decompensated heart failure by Tolvaptan. Int Heart J. 2017;58(4):593-600.
-2929 Farias G, Thieme RD, Teixeira LM, Heyde ME, Bettini S, Radominski R. Body composition changes assessed by bioelectrical impedance and their associations with functional class deterioration in stable heart failure patients. Nutr Hosp. 2016;33(3):623-8.

Analyzing the diagnosis of indicators of protein malnutrition/muscle depletion, we found discrepancies between anthropometric and body composition methods. Although reduced sensitivity presents moderate concordance, it suggests that BMI assessment compared to other methods is not a good predictor of protein malnutrition. Authors reaffirm this finding, pointing out that BMI may not provide a good overview of the nutritional status of patients with HF, especially when used for the diagnosis of malnutrition, as this index does not distinguish between fat and lean body mass.3030 Wannamethee SG, Shaper AG, Whincup PH, Lennon L, Papacosta O, Sattar N. The obesity paradox in men with coronary heart disease and heart failure: The role of muscle mass and leptin. Int J Cardiol. 2014;171(1):49-55.

However, the literature is controversial when it recommends the use of BMI as a marker of prognosis in individuals with HF. A retrospective study comparing the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which is a strong risk factor for mortality, for the increase in the BMI of individuals with decompensated HF, suggests that overweight is not associated with mortality in this population, reporting that BMI is inversely proportional to the increase of NT-proBNP.3131 Scrutinio D, Passantino A, Guida P, Ammirati E, Oliva F, Sarzi Braga S, et al. Relationship among body mass index, NT-proBNP, and mortality in decompensated chronic heart failure. Heart Lung J Acute Crit Care. 2017;46(3):172-7. However, Cescau et al.,3232 Cescau A, Van Aelst LNL, Baudet M, Cohen Solal A, Logeart D. High body mass index is a predictor of left ventricular reverse remodelling in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. ESC Heart Fail. 2017;4(4):686-9. found that although BMI is not an independent predictor of mortality, it is significantly related to greater reverse myocardial remodeling, promoting a protective effect of overweight in the course of HF. In a meta-analysis that assessed the association between BMI and all causes of death in individuals with HF, it was found that both BMI corresponding to malnutrition and morbid obesity are associated with higher mortality in this population.3333 Qin W, Liu F, Wan C. A U-shaped association of body mass index and all-cause mortality in heart failure patients: A dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Cardiovasc Ther. 2017;35(2):e12232

On the other hand, for the evaluation of muscle depletion, AMC and cAMA identified higher percentages of individuals with muscle depletion, with AMC being the most sensitive one, with acceptable concordance with the FFMI parameter. In view of these findings, it is assumed that the AMC and cAMA anthropometric indicators may overestimate the cases of muscle depletion, which may be associated to the evaluation method, which presupposes equations that require the value of two anthropometric measures, as well as classification in tables of percentiles.

However, considering the importance of monitoring the skeletal muscles of individuals with HF, since cachexia and sarcopenia are associated with worse prognosis and higher mortality,3434 Springer J, Springer J-I, Anker SD. Muscle wasting and sarcopenia in heart failure and beyond: update 2017. ESC Heart Fail. 2017;4(4):492-8. it is preferable to use the AMC values even in a potential overestimation of malnutrition due to the impossibility of acquiring and maintaining more sensitive equipment such as EBI.

For the APMT, a lower frequency of muscle depletion was found, compared to FFMI, suggesting that this measure has a reduced diagnostic capacity to evaluate compensated individuals followed up in an outpatient setting as in this study. However, its use in an intensive care unit has proven to be a good method of assessing nutritional risk.3535 Karst FP, Vieira RM, Barbiero S. Relação da espessura do músculo adutor do polegar e avaliação subjetiva global em unidade de terapia intensiva cardiológica. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2015;27(4):369-75.

One of the most striking aspects of our study was the high percentage of individuals who had excessive adiposity/fat. This fact may have a positive impact on the course of the disease, since there is an inverse association between overweight or obesity and mortality in individuals with HFrEF, as found in our population.3636 Carbone S, Lavie CJ, Arena R. Obesity and heart failure: focus on the obesity paradox. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(2):266-79. In our study, there was a uniformity of diagnoses considering the indicators used for this purpose. However, both BMI and TST showed low sensitivity, accuracy and concordance with the percentage of fat evaluated by EBI.

Caution is needed in this interpretation, especially when BMI is used for assessing body fat. A prospective study with patients with HF found results similar to ours for the diagnosis of BMI. The authors raise questions that individuals with protein malnutrition may possibly be classified as overweight by BMI, underestimating cases of malnutrition and increasing the risk of mortality.3737 Gastelurrutia P, Lupón J, de Antonio M, Zamora E, Domingo M, Urrutia A, et al. Body mass index, body fat, and nutritional status of patients with heart failure: The PLICA study. Clin Nutr. 2015;34(6):1233-8.

According to a study that investigated the association between body composition assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), an imaging test that promotes the identification of body extracts (gold standard) and mortality of patients with HF, it was observed that the BMI misclassified 41% of patients for body fat,55 Lavie CJ, Milani R V., Ventura HO, Romero-Corral A. Body composition and heart failure prevalence and prognosis: getting to the fat of the matter in the "Obesity Paradox". Mayo Clin Proc. 2010;85(7):605-8. similarly to the one found in our study, where we identified 50% of negative predictive value for BMI.

Although our results did not confirm good indicators of accuracy and concordance of TST in the evaluation of excess adiposity, other authors point out the use of TST as a predictor of mortality, further reinforcing the obesity paradox, since excess TST presented an inverse relation with mortality.77 Zuchinali P, Souza GC, Donner Alves F, Sanches K, D'Almeida M, Goldraich LA, et al. Triceps skinfold as a prognostic predictor in outpatient heart failure. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013;101(5):434-41. It is suggested to evaluate subcutaneous fat from the association between multiple skinfolds, used in formulas to evaluate adiposity, as well as was evaluated by Gastelurrutia et al.,3737 Gastelurrutia P, Lupón J, de Antonio M, Zamora E, Domingo M, Urrutia A, et al. Body mass index, body fat, and nutritional status of patients with heart failure: The PLICA study. Clin Nutr. 2015;34(6):1233-8. associated with other methods to identify the nutritional status of individuals with HF, aiming to identify adipose reserve more accurately when there is no evaluation of fat percentage by EBI.

Our study is not free of limitations: (1) the low frequency of anthropometric disorders may be biased in the statistical analysis; (2) a small number of participants may have caused lower values ​​of sensitivity and concordance, but the results found were relevant to signal the need to consider several methods of assessing body composition in this population.

The results reveal important information about the use of anthropometric indicators in the evaluation of individuals with HF, reinforcing that, for a more accurate evaluation, EBI assessment may be better indicated. EBI measurements should be standardized to obtain reproducible results and the use of body composition prediction equations must meet the specifications of each population studied. It should be noted that when it is not feasible to use equations already defined in specific studies, it is possible to use data from the EBI provided by the equipment at the time of measurement, such as resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) data, resulting in the formation of data such as phase angle, which is used in the diagnosis of malnutrition and clinical prognosis. Additionally, another potential data for the diagnosis and prognosis of body mass reserves is the analysis of bioelectrical impedance vectors.3838 Alves FD, Souza GC, Clausell N, Biolo A. Prognostic role of phase angle in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Clin Nutr. 2016;35(6):1530-4.,3939 Nunez J, Mascarell B, Stubbe H, Ventura S, Bonanad C, Bodi V, et al. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and clinical outcomes in patients with acute heart failure. J Cardiovasc Med. 2016;17(4):283-90.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is suggested that although AMC overestimates muscle depletion, it can be used as an indicator of protein malnutrition. In addition, BMI was not sensitive in the evaluation of muscle and body fat components, therefore caution is recommended in the use of this indicator in patients with compensated HF followed up in an outpatient setting. TST did not present good sensitivity for the evaluation of adiposity and body fat, reinforcing the importance of the evaluation considering multiple folds. The anthropometric parameters should be incorporated into the clinical practice for their low cost and practicality, but for greater accuracy in the evaluation of body composition, more accurate methods, such as EBI, should be considered.

  • Sources of Funding
    This study was funded by Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Norte / FAPERN / CAPES - Edital 006/2014.
  • Study Association
    This article is part of the course conclusion work submitted by Karine Cavalcanti Mauricio Sena-Evangelista, from Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN).
  • Ethics approval and consent to participate
    This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes under the protocol number CAAE 59827516.2.0.0.0.0.5292. All the procedures in this study were in accordance with the 1975 Helsinki Declaration, updated in 2013. Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

References

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    Von Haehling S. The wasting continuum in heart failure: from sarcopenia to cachexia. Proc Nutr Soc. 2015;74(4):367-77.
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    Carbone S, Lavie CJ, Arena R. Obesity and Heart Failure: Focus on the Obesity Paradox. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(2):266-79.
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    Lin H, Zhang H, Lin Z, Li X, Kong X, Sun G. Review of nutritional screening and assessment tools and clinical outcomes in heart failure. Heart Fail Rev. 2016;21(5):549-65.
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    17 Dec 2018
  • Date of issue
    Mar-Apr 2019

History

  • Received
    12 Apr 2018
  • Reviewed
    22 July 2018
  • Accepted
    07 Aug 2018
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