Association between changes in calf and mid-upper arm circumference and prognosis in cardiovascular disease patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients' calf and mid-upper arm circumferences have been associated with a prognosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the relationship between a change in these measures and the prognosis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in calf and mid-upper arm circumferences and the prognosis for patients with CVD.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

We included 1111 patients with CVD (median age 71 years, 62.5% male) whose calf circumference (CC) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were assessed at discharge and at the end of outpatient rehabilitation. Changes were defined as a difference in anthropometric measures following outpatient rehabilitation compared to those taken at the time of discharge. Patients with a negative difference were included in the decreased group, and those with zero or a positive difference were included in the non-decreased group. The endpoint was composite events of all-cause death and all-cause rehospitalization. The decreased CC group had significantly higher composite event rates compared to the non-decreased group [hazard ratio (HR) 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.92; p = 0.021], as did the decreased MUAC group [HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.23-2.11; p < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Decreases in CC and MUAC were associated with a poor prognosis in patients with CVD. Regular assessment of these measures may be valuable in predicting outcomes.

REGISTRATION NUMBER: KMEO B22-143.