Association between sarcopenia and serum levels of vitamin D with heart failure and length of hospital stay in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation

• Grant number: 13/05478-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Ferreira Minicucci
• Grantee: Monique Aguilar Herrera
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. Among them, we emphasize the acute coronary syndromes with and without ST-segment elevation. The frequency of acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation is approximately 3 cases per 1,000 people and a large amount of these patients are older adults. As part of the aging process, the development of several organic alterations can lead to reduced functional reserve and to increased morbidity. Between these alterations is sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as a less-than-expected skeletal muscle mass in an individual of a specified age, gender, and race. Sarcopenia is considered to be an important risk factor for frailty, loss of independence and physical disability in older adults. In addition, reduction of muscular strength is a predictive factor of accidents due to disability and mortality in these patients. The etiology of sarcopenia is multifactorial and vitamin D deficiency can contribute to its development. Recently the potential role of vitamin D in cardiac function was highlighted. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency is considered nowadays a potential risk for cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with loss of muscular strength and with an increased number of falls in older adults. However, the association between sarcopenia and serum levels of vitamin D with heart failure and length of hospital stay in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation was not yet evaluated.(AU)