Associação do índice cintura-estatura na função autônomica, ângulo de fase, composição corporal, força, nível de atividade física e consumo alimentar em pacientes idosos com câncer de próstata

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer is a public health issue and one of the leading causes of illness and mortality among men. Oncology treatments tend to increase patient survival, however, they have adverse effects, such as muscle loss, weight gain, and fatigue. Lifestyle changes have helped reduce these adverse effects, but there are gaps in the literature regarding the effect of lifestyle on health indicators and the reduction of adverse effects in elderly patients with prostate cancer. In this regard, the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHR), an index related to cardiometabolic risk factors and mortality, can be used as a tool for assessing central adiposity. Objective: To observe the influence of the anthropometric indicator Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHR) on autonomic function, body composition, anthropometry, physical activity levels, dietary intake, and strength in elderly men undergoing prostate cancer treatment. Method: This is a cross-sectional study involving elderly patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment, who were divided into two groups: Low-risk Group (LRG) and High-risk Group (HRG), classified according to the WHR indicator. The evaluated variables include: heart rate variability, body composition, phase angle, anthropometry, dietary intake, and strength. Comparisons were made using the Student’s t-test for normally distributed variables, the Mann-Whitney U test to compare medians, and the Chi square test. All analyses were performed using Jamovi® software version 2.3.28 (p < 0.05). Results: The high-risk group, compared to the low-risk group, showed higher values in the following variables: age (p = 0.001), greater body mass (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.01), waist circumference (p < 0.01), calf circumference (p < 0.01), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.03), strength (p = 0.005), body fat percentage (p < 0.01), fat mass (p < 0.01), and lean mass (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the variables height, heart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and phase angle did not show significant differences. Regarding dietary intake, the low-risk group, compared to the high-risk group, had higher protein consumption (g/kg) (p = 0.04). Concerning vitamin intake, compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), the average levels of vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2, B6, and B9 were lower in both groups, without statistical significance. Vitamin C, B3, and B12 were consumed in higher amounts in both groups, but no statistical difference was observed. Conclusion: The study showed that WHR is a good indicator for detecting high fat mass and body fat percentage. However, it also encompasses lean mass, calf circumference, waist, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio in patients undergoing treatment, which may lead to an underestimation of obesity in these patients. Both groups showed dietary intake that aligns with the recommended amounts according to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), but both groups exhibited deficiencies in micronutrients.