Higher Body Mass Index Categories Research Articles

GLP-1 RA Prescribing Errors in a Multidisciplinary Digital Weight-Loss Service: A Retrospective Quantitative Analysis.

Digital weight loss services (DWLSs) that use Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have demonstrated potential in contributing to a shift in global obesity rates. However, reasonable concerns have been raised about the prescribing safety of these services. Prior to this study, electronic prescribing safety had only been investigated in hospital settings and community clinics. This study retrospectively analyzed prescribing errors committed over a 6-month period in 2023 at Australia's largest GLP-1 RA-supported DWLS. The analysis found that 1654 (4.4%) of the 37323 audited GLP-1 RA prescriptions contained an error. Most errors pertained to insufficient safety counselling (49.15%) and inadequate investigations of potential contraindications (30.29%). Although a large portion of prescribing errors were detected via the automated query method (64.9%), the other three auditing methods all detected a significant number of true errors (>100). Patients from the highest body mass index category (40+ kg/m2) were overrepresented in the service's prescribing error data. These findings lay a vital foundation in the emerging literature on GLP-1 RA-supported DWLSs.

Impact of body mass index on in-hospital outcomes in patients receiving leadless pacemakers: A five-category analysis

BackgroundThe adoption of leadless pacemakers (LPMs) is increasing, yet the impact of body mass index (BMI) on procedural outcomes remains underexplored. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the impact of BMI on in-hospital outcomes for patients receiving LPM implantation. MethodsData from the National Inpatient Sample from 2018–2021 were analyzed for patients older than 18 years who underwent LPM implantation, with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria applied. Patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes and categorized into BMI groups: underweight, normal, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese. The primary outcome assessed was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included blood transfusion, pericardial complications, infection/inflammation, removal/revision, and other complications. ResultsThe study included 3832 patients who underwent LPM implantation between 2018 and 2021, weighted to represent 19,610 patients, with 3540 having an appropriate BMI designation. Mortality was lower in the obese group (2.3%) compared to the nonobese group (2.7%) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.462, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.259–0.623, P = .009). Compared to the normal weight group, those categorized as overweight, obese, and morbidly obese demonstrated a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.432, 95% CI 0.299–0.734, P = .009; aOR 0.465, 95% CI 0.238–0.721, P <.001; aOR 0.299, 95% CI 0.153–0.586, P <.001, respectively). ConclusionThese findings support the existence of the obesity paradox in patients with LPM implantation, where higher BMI categories are associated with improved mortality outcomes, meeting our prespecified primary endpoint. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind these observations.

Impact of body mass index on mortality outcomes in intensive care patients with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis: A retrospective analysis.

Evidence associating body mass index (BMI) with the prognosis of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis remains scarce. To explore the association between BMI and clinical outcomes in intensive care units patients with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. A retrospective analysis of patients with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis was conducted using the MIMIC-IV database from the Critical Care Medicine Information. Data were collected within the first 24 hours of intensive care units admission. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. The association between BMI and 28-day all-cause mortality was assessed using multivariable logistic regression, subgroup analyses, restricted cubic spline curves and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The study included 2,295 patients with an average age of 63.5 (16.1) years, 60.2% of whom were male. Multivariate analysis revealed that each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI was linked to a 2.8% decrease in the risk of 28-day mortality (adjusted OR = 0.972, 95% CI: 0.955-0.990, P = 0.002). Patients in the medium and high BMI categories had significantly lower risks of 28-day mortality compared to those in the low BMI group (OR [95% CI] 0.650 [0.474-0.891]; OR [95% CI] 0.516 [0.378-0.705]; P trend < 0.0001). The RCS model showed a non-linear association between BMI and 28-day mortality (P = 0.014). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with elevated BMI had lower 28-day mortality (P < 0.0001). Notably, significant interactions between AKI and SOFA with BMI were observed (P<0.05). Increased BMI is associated with a reduced risk of 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.

Exploring the impact of impulsivity and indulgent consumption on eating patterns of Chinese consumers

There is a growing concern about unhealthy eating habits and their impact on public health, underscoring the importance of research to understand its determinants and encourage healthy food habits. Using behavioural economic insights in researching dietary habit offer advantages beyond the scope of observational studies. Therefore, this paper examines impulsivity, self-indulgence, prudence and their associations with an individual’s eating habits and body mass index (BMI). Data were collected from a sample of 487 Chinese participants. Most participants (88%) had good eating habits based on the Healthy Eating Assessment score. The findings of a logistic regression analysis investigating the determinants of individual dietary behaviour based on participants’ self-rating of their overall dietary habits indicate that consumers who showed temporal impulsivity for favourite food tend to have poorer habits of eating healthy foods. The results of a multiple linear regression examining the factors that influence eating habits from a composite score of the Healthy Eating Assessment indicate that the score is better with temporal impulsivity for healthy food and poor with temporal impulsivity for unhealthy food. Further, the score decreases with impulsivity measured as low self-control. The control variables, age and gender, are also significant. The findings of a linear regression analysis exploring the determinants of BMI and their association with impulsivity, self-indulgence and prudence indicate that individuals with higher impulsivity measured as low self-control are mostly in the higher BMI category. These findings are important for designing and implementing public health initiatives to promote healthier dietary habits.

Weighing the Impact: The Influence of Body Mass Index on Facility Costs in Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundUsing time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC), a novel cost calculation method that more accurately reflects true resource utilization in health care, we sought to compare the total facility costs across different body mass index (BMI) groups following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). MethodsThe study consisted of 13,806 TJAs (7,340 total knee arthroplasties [TKAs] and 6,466 total hip arthroplasties [THAs]) performed between 2019 and 2023. The TDABC data from an analytics platform was employed to depict total facility costs, comprising personnel and supply costs. For the analysis, patients were stratified into four BMI categories: <30, 30 to <35, 35 to <40, and ≥40. Multivariable regression was used to determine the independent effect of BMI on facility costs. ResultsWhen indexed to patients who had BMI <30, elevated BMI categories (30 to <35, 35 to <40, and ≥40) were associated with higher total personnel costs (TKA 1.03x versus 1.07x versus 1.13x, P < .001; THA 1.00x versus 1.08x versus 1.08x, P < .001), and total supply costs (TKA 1.01x versus 1.04x versus 1.04x, P < .001; THA 1.01x versus 1.02x versus 1.03x, P = .007). Total facility costs in TJAs were significantly greater in higher BMI categories (TKA 1.02x versus 1.05x versus 1.08x, P < .001; THA 1.01x versus 1.05x versus 1.05x, P < .001). Notably, when incorporating adjustments for demographics and comorbidities, BMI values of 35, 40, and 45 relative to BMI of 25, exhibit a significant association with a 2, 3, and 5% increase in total facility cost for TKAs and a 3, 5, and 7% increase for THAs. ConclusionsUsing TDABC methodology, this study found that overall facility costs of TJAs increase with BMI. The present study provides patient-level cost insights, indicating the potential need for reassessment of physician compensation models in this population. Further studies may facilitate the development of risk-adjusted procedural codes and compensation models for public and private payors. Level of EvidenceLevel IV, economic and decision analyses.

Prevalence of Weight Stigma in Medical Settings Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the All of Us Study.

To analyze health care treatment experiences among a diverse cohort of reproductive-aged women from the All of Us study, focusing on variations due to body mass index (BMI). We conducted a cross-sectional study that used data from the All of Us Research Program. We analyzed weight bias among reproductive-aged women aged 18-44 years. Weight bias was assessed using a proxy 7-item survey that evaluated discrimination in health care experiences, including courtesy, respect, service quality, being treated as competent, displaying fear, being treated as inferior, and being listened to during health care visits. Overall, 16,791 reproductive-aged women (mean [SD] age, 35.8 [6.3]) were included in the study. Of 11,592 patients with data available on BMI, 582 were Asian (5.0%), 1,984 (17.1%) were Hispanic or Latinx, 1,007 (8.7%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 7,370 (63.6%) were non-Hispanic White. Approximately 24.2% of participants (n=2,878) had obesity, and 11.1% of participants (n=1,292) had severe obesity. In general, participants in higher BMI categories had negative experiences in the health care setting. Women with severe obesity were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to report poor experiences with their health care clinicians compared with women with healthy weight. Results show significant disparities in the health care experiences among reproductive-aged women. As participants' BMI category increased, so did their negative experiences in the health care setting. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these inequities. Health care systems must prioritize strategies to ensure that all individuals, regardless of weight or BMI, receive equitable and respectful care.

Assessing the impact of body mass index on insulin resistance and metabolic risk factors in pre-diabetic individuals: A comprehensive cross-sectional study

Background: Insulin resistance plays a crucial role in the onset of type 2 diabetes, with body mass index (BMI) being a significant determinant. Aims and Objectives: This study examines the link between BMI and insulin resistance in pre-diabetic individuals to inform strategies for early diabetes intervention. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 pre-diabetic participants. Data on demographic characteristics, BMI, insulin resistance (measured by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance, HOMA-IR), lipid profiles, and blood pressure (BP) were collected. Participants were categorized into normal weight, overweight, and obese groups to explore the relationship between BMI and insulin resistance and its impact on metabolic and cardiovascular health. Results: The average participant age was 45.8 years (SD=12.3), with a slight majority being female (52%) and an average BMI of 28.4 kg/m² (SD=4.5). A significant positive correlation (r=0.64, P&lt;0.001) between BMI and the HOMA-IR index highlighted the association between increased BMI and insulin resistance. Obese individuals had a notably higher HOMA-IR index (3.5±1.3) compared to those overweight (2.5±1.0) and of normal weight (1.9±0.8). In addition, the study found worsening lipid profiles and increased BP with higher BMI categories. Gender did not significantly affect insulin resistance, whereas a slight increase in HOMA-IR with age was noted (r=0.23, P=0.02). Conclusion: The findings highlight the strong correlation between higher BMI and increased insulin resistance in pre-diabetics. They emphasize the importance of managing body weight to mitigate the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Trends of HbA1c and BMI in People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Japanese Claims-Based Study.

Obesity prevalence has increased in Japan in recent years. Given the strong association of obesity with poor glycemic control, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with central obesity, this study describes the current trends and relationships between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in the Japanese people with T2D. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of people with T2D who had at least one recorded HbA1c and BMI (or waist circumference) value in the Japan Medical Data Center Claims database. Five annual cohorts of the study population were formed between January 2017 and December 2021. Annual trends of HbA1c across BMI categories (obesity class I [≥ 25 ~ < 30kg/m2]-IV [≥ 40kg/m2]) and in people with central obesity (waist circumference: ≥ 85cm in men; ≥ 90cm in women) were described by sex and age groups. Overall, 106,089 people with T2D (HbA1c and BMI data: 106,079; HbA1c and waist circumference data: 105,424) were included, with the majority of people belonging to obesity class I (range: 39.7-40.6%) and obesity class II (range: 16.2-17.7%) categories across all annual cohorts. People in higher BMI categories had higher mean HbA1c, with > 50% of people with T2D in obesity class I-IV (54.8-56.5%) having HbA1c ≥ 7%. Between 2017 and 2021, BMI and waist circumference increased in the age group 18-44years. More than 50% of people with T2D and central obesity in both sexes and people of age group 18-44years across obesity class I-IV or with central obesity had HbA1c ≥ 7%. More than half of the people with T2D belonging to obesity class I-IV or central obesity had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%), especially in the 18-44 age group. This highlights the need for body weight management for better glycemic control in relatively young Japanese people with T2D and obesity.

Body mass index modified the effectiveness of low dose aspirin treatment on frozen-thawed embryo transfer outcome: a propensity score-matched study.

Low-dose aspirin is one of the widely used adjuvants in assisted reproductive technologies with the hope of improving the live birth rate. However, the studies regarding its effects are conflicting. The study aimed to investigate the association between aspirin administration and live birth following frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) in patients with different body mass index (BMI). A retrospective cohort study was performed on 11,993 patients receiving FET treatments. 644 of which received a low-dose aspirin (100 mg/day) during endometrial preparation until 10 weeks after transfer. Propensity score matching was performed to avoid selection biases and potential confounders. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were similar before matching (54.4% versus 55.4%, RR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.95-1.09, and 46.3 versus 47.8, RR: 1.03, 95%CI: 0.95-1.12 respectively). A weak association in favor of aspirin administration was found in the matched cohort (49.5% versus 55.4%, RR: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.01-1.24, and 41.9% versus 47.8%, RR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.01-1.29 respectively). However, when stratified the patients with WHO BMI criteria, a significant increase in live birth rate associated with aspirin treatment was found only in patients with low BMI (<18.5 kg/m2) in either unmatched (46.4% versus 59.8%, RR:1.29, 95%CI:1.07-1.55) or matched cohort (44% versus 59.8%, RR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.01-1.83) but not in patients with higher BMI categories. With the interaction analysis, less association between aspirin and live birth appeared in patients with normal BMI (Ratio of OR:0.49, 95%CI: 0.29-0.81) and high BMI (Ratio of OR:0.57, 95%CI: 0.27-1.2) compared with patients with low BMI. BMI may be considered when evaluating aspirin's effect in FET cycles.

Association between BMI and Survival in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Intensive Chemotherapy

Introduction: Obesity is linked to a higher incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older adults as well as B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and adolescents and young adults (AYA). To date, however, the relationship between weight and clinical outcomes in AYA patients (pts) diagnosed with AML has not been clearly established. We hypothesized that obesity reflected by higher body mass index (BMI) would confer worse prognosis in AYA pts treated with intensive chemotherapy and/or allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) for AML. Methods: We conducted a single institute retrospective chart review of AYA patients aged 18 to 39 years diagnosed with AML between Jan 2006 and Oct 2022. All patients received intensive chemotherapy with cytarabine- and anthracycline-based induction and consolidation chemotherapy followed in some cases by SCT. BMI was calculated based on height and weight on the date of AML diagnosis. Additional information including European Leukemia Net (ELN) 2022 risk classification, therapy response (complete remission (CR), CR with incomplete count recovery [CRi]), receipt of SCT, relapsed disease, event-free (EFS), overall survival (OS) and percentage of pts alive at 2- and 5-years after diagnosis were collected. All data was de-identified and procured on an IRB-approved protocol. Results: Seventy-six AYA patients were identified. Median age was 25.2 (range 18-39) years. 39 (51%) were female. The majority (65, 86%) were Caucasian. Per ELN 2022 risk classification, 24 (32%) had favorable, 36 (47%) had intermediate, and 16 (21%) had adverse risk disease. The CR rates based on ELN 2022 risk classification were 86%, 72% and 50%, respectively. Median OS for all pts was 791 days and per risk group was 1379, 569, and 595 days, respectively. Pts were then categorized per initial BMI into 4 categories. The majority of pts (44, 58%) had above average BMI (≥ 25), with 21 (28%) considered overweight with BMI 25-29.9 and 23 (30%) obese defined as BMI &amp;gt;30. Only 3 pts (4%) were underweight with BMI &amp;lt;18.5 (Table 1). Of note, 43% of obese pts had ELN favorable risk vs 33% of overweight pts and 24% of normal weight pts. Overall response rates in each BMI category were similar, ranging from 96-100% except in overweight pts where only 6 of 21 pts (29%) obtained CR. Relapse occurred in approximately one third (29-35%) of pts in the three highest BMI categories. Two thirds of all pts with BMI ≥18.5 underwent SCT. Excluding underweight pts due to small numbers (n=3), there was a trend to decreased survival in pts with BMI ≥18.5. Median overall survival among normal, overweight, and obese pts was 1403, 1295, and 777 days, respectively, with a significant difference between healthy and obese pts (p-value 0.0274 by log rank test). The percentage of pts alive after 5 years was 41%, 29%, and 17%, respectively (Table 2). Conclusion: Our real-world single-institute retrospective analysis suggests that AYA pts aged 18-39 yrs old diagnosed with AML and with higher BMI have decreased overall survival following intensive chemotherapy and/or allogeneic transplant. Obese patients with the highest BMI (&amp;gt;30) had a markedly shorter overall survival (median 777 days) and lower percentage of pts (17%) alive after five years following therapy than AYA AML pts with normal BMI (median 1403 days, 41% 5-year survival). This was despite over 40% of obese pts having favorable ELN risk. Potential reasons for this include biological heterogeneity in BMI cohorts, chemotherapy dosing, weight-related medical co-morbidities (i.e. cardiovascular disease) and/or transplant-related complications leading to shorter survival. Additional analyses to rule out the contribution of these and other factors and to confirm these results in a larger cohort are ongoing.

SAT657 Work Loss Among Privately Insured Employees With Overweight And Obesity In The United States

Abstract Disclosure: S. Shinde: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly &amp; Company. M. Jerry: Employee; Self; Merative. A. Tran: Employee; Self; Merative. C.J. Lee: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly &amp; Company. Background and objectives: Obesity is a significant public health issue affecting approximately 42% of the United States (US) population. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of overweight and obesity on work productivity in recent years. By understanding the burden of overweight and obesity on employee health and function, employers and healthcare providers will be able to develop appropriate programs to improve the wellbeing and work productivity of employees. This study aimed to measure work loss and associated productivity costs among employees with overweight and obesity compared to employees with normal weight in the US. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the MarketScan databases to identify employees (aged ≥18 years) with ≥1 diagnosis code reporting a body mass index (BMI) between 1/1/2015-12/31/2019. Employees were assigned to the normal weight (BMI 19-24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), obesity class 1 (BMI 30-34.9), obesity class 2 (BMI 35-39.9), and obesity class 3 (BMI ≥40) cohorts based on their earliest BMI (index) with BMI thresholds defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among employees with data for each category of work loss (absenteeism, short-term disability [STD], long-term disability [LTD], or worker’s compensation [WC]) during the 12-month follow-up period, the percentage of employees with work loss, number of hours/days lost from work, and costs associated with productivity loss were reported. Results: 719,482 total employees (normal weight: 106,631, overweight: 230,637, obesity class 1: 185,850, obesity class 2: 101,909, obesity class 3: 94,455) were included in the analysis. Roughly 14%, 83%, 75%, and 60% of all included employees were eligible for analysis of absence, STD, LTD, and WC, respectively. Among employees with ≥1 absence hour, the number of hours absent increased with each higher BMI category (mean hours [in order of BMI category]=262.1, 272.5, 284.9, 289.6, 304.2). The percentage of employees with a STD, LTD, or WC claim also increased with each higher BMI category (STD: 6.8%, 7.6%, 9.7%, 11.7%, 17.0%; LTD: 0.4%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.8%; WC: 2.7%, 2.8%, 3.4%, 3.6%, 3.5%, respectively). Attributable estimated costs to the employer due to the loss in productivity associated with absenteeism, STD, LTD, and WC were $1,036, $611, $38, and $91 higher per year (respectively) for individuals in the obesity class 3 cohort relative to the normal weight cohort. Conclusion: This real-world analysis demonstrated that employees with overweight and obesity have higher loss of work productivity as measured by absenteeism, STD, LTD, and WC compared to employees with normal weight. Furthermore, the loss of work productivity was greater with each higher BMI category. Future studies are warranted to better understand factors that can improve employee health and productivity. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Association of Frailty With Nutritional Status in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Frailty is commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with adverse outcomes. Protein-energy wasting (PEW), a state of decreased body stores of protein and energy fuels, may be associated with frailty. However, few data are available on the possible association between frailty and PEW in CKD. We examined the association between frailty and nutritional status assessed using anthropometric and body composition measurements, serum albumin, handgrip strength, the Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS), and dietary protein and calorie intake in a cross-sectional analysis of nondialysis patients with CKD stages 3-5. Body composition was assessed using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance. Frailty was defined as a Clinical Frailty Scale ≥4. We performed logistic regression with different nutrition assessment tools as the main predictors and age, sex, comorbidity, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and hemoglobin as covariates. A total of 157 patients (93 men and 64 women; mean age 64years; diabetes prevalence 38.9%) with CKD (eGFR 24.4±13.4mL/min/1.73m2) were included. Overall, 29.3% of patients were frail. Patients with frailty were older and had a significantly higher fat tissue index and MIS but a significantly lower lean tissue index, eGFR, hemoglobin value, serum albumin value, handgrip strength value, and dietary protein intake. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, a higher body mass index category (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.31), higher fat tissue index (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.28), larger waist circumference (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09), reduced handgrip strength (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.17-6.21), PEW defined by MIS ≥5 (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.35-9.01), and dietary protein intake ≤0.8g/kg/day (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.18-6.19) were associated with higher odds of frailty. Frailty is associated with nutritional status in patients with CKD. A comprehensive nutrition assessment may allow the implementation of strategies to prevent or reduce frailty.

Raised BMI is associated with fewer Type I endoleaks in patients treated with the Gore Excluder device: data from the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT).

Obesity is increasing in prevalence globally and within the cohort of vascular surgical patients, leading to poorer outcomes. There are few data on endoleak as a complication of AAA surgery in obese patients. The aim of this study was to use large scale registry data from the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT) to interrogate any relationship between obesity and endoleak following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a Gore Excluder device (W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, DE, USA), in order to guide treatment recommendations in the future. A retrospective review of the GREAT Registry was carried out and patients who were recorded as having a postoperative endoleak requiring intervention were included. Patient demographics including Body Mass Index (BMI), aneurysm parameters and on- or off-instructions for use (IFU) were recorded. Ruptured AAA were excluded. Data were obtained for 3326 patients with an operation date between August 25, 2010 and September 22, 2019. Obese patients were significantly less likely to have a Type 1 endoleak (Fisher's Exact P value=0.006), and the association was maintained in a multiple logistic regression model which controlled for age, gender, neck angulation and off IFU device use (OR=0.33, P=0.01). Among AAA patients treated with a Gore Excluder device (W. L. Gore & Associates), a higher BMI category was associated with a lower risk of Type 1 endoleak requiring reintervention. Further work needs to be carried out to assess our findings in other patient cohorts.

Higher Heart Rate is Independently Associated with Abnormal Body Mass Index in a J Shape Pattern.

High heart rate is independently associated with higher cardiovascular mortality and usually occurs in sedentary persons. Inactivity can also lead to obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between body mass index as an independent marker of high heart rate. Data generated from screening echocardiography, for the prevention of sudden death at the Anthony Bates Foundation, was used. Data from 1,340 subjects, with documented heart rate (HR) and body mass index, between the ages 19-79 years with a mean age of 32 years, was used. We correlated the presence of a high heart rate (HR) > 90 beats per minute (BPM)) with different body mass index (BMI) categories. High heart rate was significantly associated with higher BMI categories and underweight subjects in adults suggesting a J shape association. A total of 22.7% of participants with a HR of more than 90 bpm had BMI > 40 kg/m2, vs 19.0% of patients with BMI of 35-40 kg/m2 vs 13.5% of subjects with BMI of 30-35 kg/m2 vs 12.2% of subjects with BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 - 29.9 kg/m2, vs in 10.3% of subjects with BMI between 18.5-25 kg/m2 , P< 0.01) Furthermore, increased HR was also more prevalent in underweight patient. (17.4% in subjects with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 }. High heart rate is strongly associated with obesity and underweight suggesting that maintaining a normal weight is associated with most positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

Ultrasonic Measurement of Left Ventricular Mass Index of Hypertensive and Normotensive Adults in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is a known cause of heart disease which may manifest as an increase in left ventricular mass index. Echocardiography is a painless, safe and reliable test using sound waves for measuring Left Ventricular Mass (LVM) from which Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) can be derived.&#x0D; Aims and Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the ultrasonic measurement of the left ventricular mass index of hypertensive patients and normotensive participants and correlating the Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) to the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Gender in the study populations.&#x0D; Methodology: This was a prospective hospital-based case-control study of adult hypertensive participants and normotensive controls. Echocardiography was done with measurements of the Left Ventricular Mass (LVM) obtained. The LVMI of the study groups was correlated to their BMI and gender.&#x0D; Results: The mean BMI was statistically higher in the hypertensive group (25.98 4.40 kg/m2) (p-value=0.001).The mean Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) was significantly higher in the hypertensive group (79.5961.67g/m2.7) than in normotensive group (55.36 34.77g/m2.7) (p-value 0.0001). In this study, the high BMI category (obese/overweight) was the strongest predictors of LVMI above 51g/m2.7 (p-value= 0.0001) and females were almost 1.8 times more likely to have increased LVMI than men&#x0D; Conclusion: This study revealed that the female gender, BMI and hypertension were significant predictors of increased left ventricular mass index. High BMI category (obese/overweight) was the strongest predictors of LVMI above 51g/m2.7. Periodic ultrasonic measurement of the ventricular mass index will help in early detection and reducing this common and potentially modifiable risk that leads to increased morbidity and mortality.

What variables should inform needle length choice for deltoid intramuscular injection? A systematic review

Objectives(1) Assess the distribution of skin-to-deltoid-muscle distance (SDMD) at the deltoid intramuscular (IM) injection site; (2) its relationship with demographic and anthropometric variables and (3) Consider the findings in relation...

Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Elderly, the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study.

Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for chronic and atherosclerotic vascular disease that causes preventable considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study is aimed at comparing inflammation and the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in elderly subjects. The authors recruited the participants (1281 older adults) from the Birjand Longitudinal of Aging study. They measured oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers serum levels in the 101 cigarettes and 1180 nonsmokers. The mean age of smokers was 69.3 ± 7.95 years, and most were male. The most percentage of male cigarette smokers have lower body mass index (BMI) (≤19 kg/m2). Females have higher BMI categories than males (P ≤ 0.001). The percentage of diseases and defects was different between cigarette and non-cigarette smoker adults (P ≤ 0.01 to P ≤ 0.001). The total white blood cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils were significantly higher in cigarettes compared to non-cigarette smokers (P ≤ 0.001). Besides, cigarette consumers' percentage of hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to other aged people was significantly different (P ≤ 0.001). However, biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant levels were not significant differences between the two senior groups. Cigarette smoking in older adults was associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers and cells, but it did not find a significant difference in oxidative stress markers. Longitudinal prospective studies may help illuminate the mechanisms inducing oxidative stress and inflammation due to cigarette smoking in each gender.

Postpartum weight retention and its association with socio-demographic and obstetrics correlates: A cross-sectional hospital-based preliminary survey in India

Background and aimsPostpartum weight retention can predispose women to an elevated risk of obesity and associated complications. The study aims to assess the magnitude of postpartum weight retention and its association with socio-demographic and obstetrics correlates. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in February and March 2022 via telephonic interviews. Convenience sampling technique was used for recruiting postpartum women in first three months, four to six months and beyond six months post-delivery (date of delivery January 2021 to January 2022). Chi2 test and regression analysis were employed to study the association of socio-demographic and obstetrics correlates with postpartum weight retention. ResultsThe final sample comprised 505 postpartum women with a mean age of 29 ± 4 years. The mean postpartum weight retention was 4.96 ± 3.64 kg, 5.38 ± 3.93 kg and 5.80 ± 3.95 kg in the first three months, four to six months and beyond six months post-delivery respectively. In the first three months, socio-economic status and gestational weight gain were associated with weight retention (p < 0.05). In four-six months, type of family, education qualification, and gestational weight gain were associated with weight retention (p < 0.05). Beyond six months post-delivery, gestational weight gain was associated with postpartum weight retention (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe findings provide preliminary data on the magnitude of weight retention in Indian postpartum women. Postpartum women are at an increased risk of weight retention with the overall shift to a higher body mass index category as compared to the pre-pregnancy period. It is crucial to timely screen women at risk and implement weight management strategies.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Overall Health of Patients With Pre-diabetes and Diabetes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted those with chronic diseases worldwide, especially those with diabetes. Very few studies have explored the effect of COVID-19 on diabetic patients' health markers. The present retrospective study compared various health markers of diabetic patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients (N= 511) displayed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), diabetic medications, and dose of insulin (p< 0.05) as well as a decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p = 0.04). When patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI), those in higher BMI categories were more negatively impacted during the pandemic than those in lower categories. Results display the impact that COVID-19 had on the general well-being of diabetic patients, and should encourage providers to increase telehealth visits when in-person visits are not possible.

How does body mass index impact self-perceived health? A pan-European analysis of the European Health Interview Survey Wave 2

BackgroundObesity remains a major global public health issue, despite numerous attempts to address it. Health behaviour theories suggest that a misconception of how excess weight affects general health may be...