Controlling nutritional status score and geriatric nutritional risk index as a predictor of mortality and hospitalization risk in hospitalized older adults.

Background: The COntrolling NUTritional Status (CONUT) score and the Global Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) are screening tools for assessing the risk of malnutrition based on widely available biochemical parameters. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of CONUT and GNRI score on 36 months mortality and hospitalization risk in hospitalized older patients.

Methods: Data of 382 patients (196 women, mean age 80.

The Role of Combined Muscle Ultrasound and Bioimpedentiometry Parameters for Sarcopenia Diagnosis in a Population of Hospitalized Older Adults.

Background: For the study of quantitative and qualitative muscle parameters, ultrasound and bioelectric impedance analysis are reliable, non-invasive, and reproducible. The aim of this study was to test the combined role of those techniques for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in a population of hospitalized older males and females.

Methods: A total of 70 subjects were recruited, including 10 healthy adults and 60 hospitalized elderly patients with a good level of independence and cooperation, with and without sarcopenia.

Evaluation of the impact on hospitalization risk of an electronic pill-box to promote therapeutic adherence in post-acute care setting: a pilot study.

Literature review reveals that adherence to prescribed therapy at hospital discharge averages around 50%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to prescribed therapy assessing the relationship between re-hospitalization rate at 30 days and degree of therapeutic adherence in a sample of elderly patients discharged from an acute geriatric ward using an Electronic Medication Packaging device, MePill. The study population (n = 56) was divided in 3 groups, a counseling group (A), a counseling + MePill device group (B) and a control group (C).

The Role of Ultrasound Muscle Parameters for Myosteatosis and Myofibrosis Measurement in Young, Older, and Obese Subjects.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare quantitative and qualitative ultrasound parameters between healthy young adults and post-acute hospitalized older adults with and without physical disability, as well as between normal weight and overweight/obese persons.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting And Participants: A total of 120 individuals were recruited: 24 healthy young adults, 24 normal weight and 24 overweight/obese community-dwelling adults, and 48 post-acute hospitalized older adults with different degrees of functional autonomy.

Understanding sarcopenic obesity in young adults in clinical practice: a review of three unsolved questions.

Introduction: Our aim was to summarize the available literature on three yet unsolved questions, namely: 1) the dilemma surrounding definition of sarcopenic obesity (SO), especially in young adults; 2) the potential impact of this phenotype on weight-loss programme outcomes; and 3) the strategies for optimum management (prevention/treatment) of SO in clinical practice.

Evidence Acquisition: A literature review using the PubMed/Medline database was conducted, and data were summarized based on a narrative approach.

Evidence Synthesis: Firstly, SO can be screened by the 30-sec sit-to-stand test; ≤25 and ≤21; and confirmed by the ratio of (appendicular lean mass/Body Mass Index) ≤0.

The Role of Crosstalk between Adipose Cells and Myocytes in the Pathogenesis of Sarcopenic Obesity in the Elderly.

As a result of aging, body composition changes, with a decline in muscle mass and an increase in adipose tissue (AT), which reallocates from subcutaneous to visceral depots and stores ectopically in the liver, heart and muscles. Furthermore, with aging, muscle and AT, both of which have recognized endocrine activity, become dysfunctional and contribute, in the case of positive energy balance, to the development of sarcopenic obesity (SO). SO is defined as the co-existence of excess adiposity and low muscle mass and function, and its prevalence increases with age.

Approaching Sarcopenic Obesity in Young and Middle-Aged Female Adults in Weight Management Settings: A Narrative Review.

This paper presents a review of the available literature on sarcopenic obesity (SO) in young and middle-aged female adults with obesity in weight management settings. A literature review using the PubMed/Medline and Science Direct databases was conducted, and the data were summarized through a narrative approach. Firstly, some physical performance tests and questionnaires are available for screening young and middle-aged female adults with a high risk of SO.

The Correlation of Arterial Stiffness Parameters with Aging and Comorbidity Burden.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PVW-cf), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and CAVI0 (which is a mathematical elaboration of CAVI, theoretically less dependent on blood pressure), age and comorbidity burden. Furthermore, 183 patients (119 female, mean age 67.5 ± 14.

The Role of Obesity, Body Composition, and Nutrition in COVID-19 Pandemia: A Narrative Review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread worldwide, infecting nearly 500 million people, with more than 6 million deaths recorded globally. Obesity leads people to be more vulnerable, developing worse outcomes that can require hospitalization in intensive care units (ICU). This review focused on the available findings that investigated the link between COVID-19, body composition, and nutritional status.

Epicardial adipose tissue volume and CT-attenuation as prognostic factors for pulmonary embolism and mortality in critically ill patients affected by COVID-19.

Background/objectives: The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate if epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) quantity and quality, as evaluated by computed tomography (CT), have a different role in the risk of mortality and pulmonary embolism in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Subjects/methods: CT derived EAT volume and density, as well as anthropometric and blood biomarkers, were evaluated in a sample of 138 subjects, 109 men and 29 women, for whom CT images and information on pulmonary embolism were available from a total of 313 subjects who were consecutively admitted to the ICU for COVID-19 from the REINSURE-ARDS prospective registry.

Results: A total of 28 patients (20.

Exercise and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: A systematic review.

Background: Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by low muscle mass and high body fat; prevalence increases with age, particularly after age 65 years. For this systematic literature review we searched scientific databases for studies on exercise interventions for improving physical performance in adults with sarcopenic obesity; also, we identified potential gaps in clinical practice guidelines that need to be addressed.

Methods: We followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

Exploring the association between handgrip, lower limb muscle strength, and physical function in older adults: A narrative review.

Widely used in daily practice, handgrip strength (HGS) is a low cost, easy-to-use, and portable test to assess overall muscle and physical function. It can be used as a stand-alone or a first-line tool for evaluating muscle weakness, though controversy surrounds its use for assessing global or lower limb muscle function. Lower limb mobility and physical activity are reduced with advancing age.

Is handgrip strength a marker of muscle and physical function of the lower limbs? Sex differences in older adults with obesity.

Background And Aims: In this cross-sectional study we investigate the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and muscle function of the lower limbs and the predictors of the appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) in older adults with obesity of both sexes.

Methods And Results: Eighty-four older (67 ± 5 years) men (N = 44) and women (N = 40) with obesity (body mass index (BMI) 33 ± 4 kg/m) performed: the HGS, isokinetic knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) muscle strength and power and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The correlation between HGS and lower limbs muscle function was evaluated, and four multiple hierarchical linear models were built to assess the contribution of each ALMI predictor (i.

Arterial Stiffness, Subendocardial Impairment, and 30-Day Readmission in Heart Failure Older Patients.

Arterial stiffness and subendocardial perfusion impairment may play a significant role in heart failure (HF) outcomes. The aim of the study was to examine the main predictors of 30-day readmission in geriatric patients, hospitalized with HF, explore hemodynamical parameters, arterial stiffness indexes, and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR). In total, 41 hospitalized patients, affected by HF, were included; they underwent clinical evaluation, routine laboratory testing, and echocardiography.

Senolytic effects of quercetin in an in vitro model of pre-adipocytes and adipocytes induced senescence.

The dysfunction of adipose tissue with aging and the accumulation of senescent cells has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases. Recently interventions capable of reducing the burden of senescent cells and in particular the identification of a new class of drugs termed senolytics have been object of extensive investigation. We used an in vitro model of induced senescence by treating both pre-adipocytes as well as mature adipocytes with hydrogen peroxide (HO) at a sub-lethal concentration for 3 h for three consecutive days, and hereafter with 20 uM quercetin at a dose that in preliminary experiments resulted to be senolytic without cytotoxicity.

Impaired subendocardial perfusion in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is associated to vascular damage, increased arterial stiffness, and impaired myocardial perfusion. Subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) is a noninvasive estimation of myocardial workload, oxygen supply, and perfusion. The aim of the study was to describe the relation between arterial stiffness, SEVR, and cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Prevalence of obesity and diabetes in older people with sarcopenia defined according to EWGSOP2 and FNHI criteria.

Background: Although the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity is increasing, nowadays a universally accepted definition still does not exist. Because, this clinical entity is defined as the combination of obesity and sarcopenia, the diagnosis appears to be strictly linked to criteria used for sarcopenia and the available prevalence data are not uniform. To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in older persons according to EWGSOP2 and FNIH criteria.

Relationships between subendocardial perfusion impairment, arterial stiffness and orthostatic hypotension in hospitalized elderly individuals.

Background: Orthostatic hypotension is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Arterial stiffness has been shown to be a pathophysiological mechanism linking orthostatic hypotension and increased cardiovascular risk. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness, orthostatic hypotension and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) and moreover to identify the main predictors of orthostatic hypotension, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV-cf) and SEVR.

Prognostic interplay of kidney function with sarcopenia, anemia, disability and cognitive impairment. The GLISTEN study.

Background: Interactions between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and several comorbidities may potentially affect prognosis of older hospitalized patients. This study aims at evaluating the prognostic interactions between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), anemia, sarcopenia, functional and cognitive dysfunction, and 3-year mortality among older patients discharged from acute care hospitals.

Methods: Our series consisted of 504 older adults enrolled in a multicenter observational study carried out in twelve Acute Geriatric and Internal Medicine wards throughout Italy.

Intermuscular Adipose Tissue as a Risk Factor for Mortality and Muscle Injury in Critically Ill Patients Affected by COVID-19.

Background: Muscular fatigue and injury are frequently observed in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether different muscle adipose tissue depots are associated with mortality and muscle damage in patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the ICU.

Methods: CT images were obtained in 153 ICU patients with COVID-19 (121 males and 32 females).

Knee flexor and extensor torque ratio in elderly men and women with and without obesity: a cross-sectional study.

Background: With aging and obesity lower limb torque deteriorates. Importantly, the ratio between knee flexor (KF) and extensor (KE) torque is an indicator of joint stability.

Aims: We compared KF torque and KF/KE ratio in older subjects of both sexes with obesity (OB) or without (NOB) obesity.

Strength and Performance Tests for Screening Reduced Muscle Mass in Elderly Lebanese Males with Obesity in Community Dwellings.

The reduction in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is a common phenomenon in older adults. It is associated with several diseases, a reduction in physical fitness, longer periods of hospitalization and high rates of mortality. We aimed to identify the reliability of simple tools for screening for reduced SMM among older adult males in Lebanon.

Sarcopenia Risk Evaluation in a Sample of Hospitalized Elderly Men and Women: Combined Use of the Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA) and the SARC-F.

Background: SARC-F and Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA) questionnaires have been proposed as screening tools to identify patients at risk of sarcopenia. The aim of this study is to test the use of SARC-F and MSRA, alone and combined, as a pre-screening tool for sarcopenia in geriatric inpatients.

Methods: 152 subjects, 94 men and 58 women, aged 70 to 94, underwent muscle mass evaluation by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle strength evaluation by handgrip, and completed the MSRA, SARC-F and Activity of daily living (ADL) questionnaires.