Is there an association between the nutritional and functional parameters and congestive heart failure severity?

Background & Aims: The association between markers of nutritional status (handgrip strength [HGS] and adductor pollicis muscle thickness [APMT]) and clinical markers of congestive heart failure (CHF) severity is currently unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between HGS, APMT, as markers of nutritional status and CHF severity.

Methods: APMT and muscle strength was measured in 500 CHF patients bilaterally.

Adductor pollicis muscle: reference values of its thickness in a healthy population.

Background & Aims: Adductor pollicis muscle is the only muscle which could be directly assessed, and its thickness could be useful in muscle mass assessment. Our objective is to determine values of adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) in healthy subjects.

Methods: APMT was obtained using a skinfold caliper in 300 healthy subjects, grouped by age and gender, in dominant (DAPMT) and non-dominant (NDAPMT) sides.