Prognostic value of muscle mass assessed by DEXA in elderly hospitalized patients.

Objectives: To analyze the prognostic value of lean mass measured by DEXA and to compare it with lean muscle mass assessed by anthropometrics, calf circumference, subjective assessment and with physical muscle function tests in elderly hospitalized patients.

Methods: We study 187 hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years. We assessed nutrition by anthropometrics, mid arm muscle area, triceps skinfold and calf circumference, by subjective nutritional assessment and by DEXA, lean and fat mass and bone mineral density (BMD); muscle function by handgrip strength, gait speed, standing balance and stand-up test; disability and activities of daily living and the clinical frailty score; and comorbidity by Charlson index.

Prognostic value of physical function tests and muscle mass in elderly hospitalized patients. A prospective observational study.

Aim: To determine the prognostic value for mortality of physical function tests, muscle mass loss, disability and frailty in elderly hospitalized patients.

Methods: We prospectively included 298 hospitalized patients aged >60 years (152 men and 146 women). We assessed comorbidity using the Charlson Comorbidity Index; nutrition by body mass index, midarm muscle area and subjective nutritional score; physical muscle function by handgrip strength, gait speed, standing balance and stand up test; disability using the Barthel test and activities of daily living; frailty by the clinical frailty scale and Fried frailty index; and cognitive impairment by the Pfeiffer test.

Cryptogenetic liver cirrhosis and prothrombotic mutations - A mere association?

Thrombin activation and microthrombosis of intrahepatic portal venules is a common feature in liver cirrhosis, due in part to relative protein C deficiency and altered coagulation-anticoagulation-fibrinolysis balance. Extension of this microthrombotic process to larger portal vessels explains the increased incidence of portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis. Thrombin not only leads to thrombosis, but also activates liver stellate cells and promotes fibrogenesis.

Effects of selenium on liver and muscle contents and urinary excretion of zinc, copper, iron and manganese.

Selenium is a main component of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), a key antioxidant enzyme. Other elements, such as zinc, copper, manganese and iron, are also involved in the pathogenesis of oxidative damage as well as in other important metabolic pathways. The effects of selenium supplementation on the metabolism of these elements have yield controversial results .