Níveis de atividade física e características da composição corporal e ângulo de fase em pacientes com insuficiência venosa crônica: um estudo de associação

Abstract

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a progressive condition that affects millions of people worldwide, significantly impacting quality of life. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity and sedentary behavior, play a crucial role in the metabolic and cellular health of individuals living with CVI. Moreover, research investigating physical activity levels, body composition, and phase angle (PhA) in this population remains scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between different intensities of physical activity (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous), body composition, and PhA in patients with CVI. This cross-sectional study included 112 patients with CVI. Physical activity and sedentary time were objectively measured using an accelerometer. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and PhA was determined. Simple and multiple linear regressions, as well as generalized linear models (GLM), were employed to investigate the predictive capacity of physical activity levels on body composition and PhA, controlling for potential confounders such as age, sex, and BMI. Sedentary time showed an inverse and statistically significant association with PhA (β = -0.003; p = 0.023). It was also inversely associated with fat-free mass (β = -0.028; p = 0.013) and absolute body fat (β = -0.024; p = 0.004). In contrast, light physical activity demonstrated a positive and statistically significant association with PhA (β = 0.016; p = 0.029), as well as positive associations with fat-free mass (β = 0.031; p = 0.023), absolute body fat (β = 0.029; p = 0.004), and body mass index (β = 0.008; p = 0.047). For moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, the association with PhA did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.056), and associations with relative body fat were observed only in subgroups based on the Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification. The interpretation of these associations in a CVI population should consider the particularities of the disease and the complexity of body composition measurements. The findings indicate that sedentary time and light physical activity are significantly associated with PhA in patients with CVI, underscoring the relevance of these activity patterns for cellular health. Although associations with body composition are complex, the consistent link with PhA highlights the importance of reducing sedentary time and promoting light physical activity as non-pharmacological strategies in the management of chronic venous insufficiency.