Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and low phase angle (PhA) are associated with demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and nutritional status in patients dependent on alcohol and other substances.
Methods: We prospectively included 63 individuals dependent on alcohol and other substances and 71 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Subjective global assessment was used to evaluate malnutrition. All included participants underwent a psychiatric evaluation, including the administration of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate associations between low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and low phase angle (PhA) and nutritional, lifestyle, and alcohol use and cocaine/crack use variables, controlling for sex and age.
Results: Low SMI and low PhA were identified in 11.1% and 44.5% of the substance dependents, respectively. Low midarm muscle circumference (r = 0.58; P < 0.001), low midarm muscle area (r = 051; P < 0.001), and reduced PhA (r = 0.59; P < 0.001) were positively correlated with low SMI. Multivariate analysis showed that heavy alcohol consumption (≥80 g·d· ≥5 y-1; odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-4.84; P = 0.02) and sedentary lifestyle (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.29-14.89; P = 0.02) were independently associated with reduced SMI. Low PhA was independently associated with heavy alcohol consumption (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.62-8.15; P = 0.002) and cocaine or crack use (OR, 3.97; 95% CI, 1.05-15.11; P = 0.04) in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: Low SMI and low PhA are independently associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Low PhA is independently associated with cocaine or crack use.
Keywords: Cocaine/crack use; Heavy alcohol consumption; Phase angle; Skeletal muscle mass; Substance dependence.
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