Nutrition
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The present study aimed to identify associations between extremes in body weight status (underweight and excess body weight) before a COVID-19 diagnosis and clinical outcomes in patients infected with SARS coronavirus type 2. ⋯ Being underweight and excess body weight were not independently associated with clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in the herein analyzed cohort. This finding indicates that the association between these variables may be confounded by both age and comorbidities.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Reference values of low body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, and calf circumference in cancer patients: A nationwide multicenter observational study.
Anthropometric measurements including body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and calf circumference (CC) are simple and convenient indicators of nutritional status and muscle mass. However, most of their reference values come from studies based on healthy Western populations. The optimal reference values of these anthropometric factors in Asian patients with cancer are unclear. The aim of this study was to develop reference values of severely and moderately low BMI, MUAC, and CC by analyzing a large sample of patients with cancer from a nationwide population. ⋯ The present study defined reference values of moderately and severely low BMI, MUAC, and CC, which showed strong associations with quality of life, malnutrition, and mortality risk. New reference values from the present study are classification references specifically for the Asian population, which is a new step to promote the application of Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria and its severity grading system in Asia.
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Multicenter Study
Comparative assessment of abdominal and thigh muscle characteristics using CT-derived images.
The aim of this study was to compare the assessment of skeletal muscle area (SMA in cm²), skeletal muscle index (SMI in cm²/m²), and skeletal muscle density (SMD in HU) between third lumbar vertebra (L3) and thigh landmarks, and the agreement in diagnosing low muscle mass and low SMD (L3 as the reference method). ⋯ Muscle characteristics between L3and thigh landmarks have a strong correlation. This suggests that images of the thigh can be used to characterize muscle characteristics. Image acquisition and analysis of thigh region is simpler, with less radiation exposure, and consequently more appropriate for longitudinal analysis.
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Multicenter Study
Central body fat deposits are associated with poor vitamin D status in Chinese children and adolescents.
To examine the association between regional fat deposits and vitamin D levels in Chinese children. Whether regional fat distribution contributes to vitamin D deficiency remains uncertain. ⋯ Regional fat deposits were associated with vitamin D status in Chinese school-aged children and more pronounced among boys.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Vitamin K2 as a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention of muscle cramps in hemodialysis patients: A prospective multicenter, randomized, controlled, crossover pilot trial.
Muscle cramps occur in 33% to 78% of patients with dialysis. The etiology of muscle cramps is poorly understood, and no clear evidence-based prevention or treatment strategies exist. Improved interventions are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin K2 in reducing the frequency and severity of muscle cramps in hemodialysis (HD) patients. ⋯ This pilot trial demonstrated that vitamin K2 supplementation could decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of muscle cramps in HD patients.