[Association between BMI and longitudinal deformation of the left atrium in older adults]

Little is known about the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and the effect of body mass index (BMI) on left atrial longitudinal strain (LALS) in older adults.

To determine the prevalence of LVDD using the 2016 ASE/EACVI echocardiographic criteria and to evaluate the association between BMI and LALS in older adults.

Cross-sectional analytical study performed using echocardiography in 158 individuals ≥ 65 years of age who attended the geriatric clinic.

The prevalence of LVDD was 20%. In patients ≥ 75 years of age, a prevalence ratio of 2.24 (95% CI: 1.20-4.16; p = 0.01) was observed. In the multivariate analysis, males were less likely to develop LVDD (OR: 0.03; p = 0.01); for each increase in visceral fat, there was a 1.57-fold increase in the likelihood of LVDD (p = 0.02). LALS was associated with a BMI < 22 kg/m² in 19.4%, BMI ≥ 22-26.9 kg/m² in 23.2%, BMI ≥ 27-31.9 kg/m² in 26.25%, and BMI ≥ 32 kg/m² in 22.34% (ANOVA, p < 0.003).

LVDD in older adults was associated with age, female sex, visceral fat, and the probability of LVDD doubled in people ≥ 75 years of age. There is an association between LALS and BMI. These findings emphasise the need for echocardiography in people ≥ 75 years of age for the detection and monitoring of LVHD.