Estado nutricional e consumo de substâncias: avaliação da massa muscular, do ângulo de fase e da adiposidade abdominal

Abstract

Background & aims: The illicit drug abuse is a global health problem that affects approximately 246 million people worldwide. Among the adverse consequences of drug addiction, the nutritional deficiencies should be highlighted. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the body composition and investigate the association between low skeletal muscle mass (SM) and low phase angle (PhA) with demographic, clinical nutritional and life style data in substance users (SU). Methods: 63 SU [65.1% males; mean age, 46.0 ± 13.2 years] and 71 age and sexmatched healthy individuals were prospectively included. The diagnosis of substance addiction was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM IV) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria. SM and PhA were estimated by BIA. Absolute SM was converted to an SM index (SMI) by dividing height by meters squared (kg/m2 ). The adiposity index termed A Body Shape Index (ABSI) was calculated by the following formula: ABSI = WC (m)/[BMI2/3 × height (m)1/2]. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was used to assess the nutritional status. The data were analysed by logistic regression model. Results: Low SMI and low PhA was identified in 15.8% and 44.5% of SU, respectively. Subjects with heavy alcohol consumption had lower SMI and PhA values than those without heavy alcohol drinking pattern. Low SMI was independently associated with heavy alcohol consumption (OR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.01 - 4.05; p = 0.05). Low PhA was also independently associated with heavy alcohol consumption (OR = 2.11; 95%CI = 1.30 - 3.42; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Heavy alcohol drinking was associated with low SMI, low PhA and high values of ABSI. The assessment of body composition, particularly of SMI and PhA, becomes a relevant parameter in the nutritional evaluation of the substance users.