Cardiovascular risk indicators and muscle mass in medical interns at a public university in Lima

Vega Salazar P.C.; Guzmán Mallqui J.L.; Núñez Barrón C.C.; Turriate Aguilar P.S. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/452vega

Resumen

Background: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) present a high rate of morbidity and mortality in the world; Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world and can be avoided by changing habits. Objective: Determine the relationship between cardiovascular risk indicators and muscle mass of medical interns at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM). Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional and correlational design study was carried out. 101 human medicine interns selected by non-probabilistic sampling, for convenience. The cardiovascular risk indicators were constituted by the waist/height index (ICT) and the abdominal perimeter (PAB), while muscle mass was evaluated using the electrical bioimpedance technique (BIA). The inclusion criterion was that at least one of the four rotations of the internship had been completed and, in contrast, those with any underlying metabolic condition or who did not meet the requirements for BIA assessment were excluded. The data were analyzed in the SPSS program, using the Pearson statistical test. Results: Of the total participants, 54% were male. Moderate (30.7%) and high (24.8%) cardiovascular risk was found, according to ICT, while, according to PAB, a high (19.8%) and very high (10.9%) cardiovascular risk was found in the evaluated sample. Medical interns showed a correlation of ICT (p=0.03) and PAB (p=0.003) with muscle mass. That is, the lower the muscle mass, the greater the risk of presenting cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: Anthropometric indicators of cardiovascular risk had a high negative correlation with muscle mass in medical interns.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola