No association between body composition and walking outcomes in multiple sclerosis. 2022

Brenda Jeng, and Robert W Motl
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 933 19th Street S, Suite 301, Birmingham, AL 35223 United States; Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, 1919 W Taylor St, 650 AHSB (MC 517), Chicago, IL 60612, United States. Electronic address: bjeng@uic.edu.

BACKGROUND One major concern of excess body weight is diminished physical function. The excess body weight associated with obesity can bring about challenges for physical function, particularly walking performance, among persons living with the consequences of a chronic, neurological disease. There is evidence that persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) have significantly reduced walking performance compared with controls; however, the relationship between body composition and walking outcomes has not been well-defined in persons with MS. To that end, the study examined the associations between body composition metrics and a comprehensive battery of walking outcomes in persons with MS recruited across a wide distribution of body mass index. METHODS Ambulatory participants with MS (n=64) underwent an assessment of neurological disability status using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and body composition metrics (i.e., percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content and density) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Participants then completed the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk (6MW), and 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12). We examined Spearman rank-order bivariate correlations among percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content and density, T25FW, TUG, 6MW, MSWS-12, and EDSS. RESULTS Body composition metrics were not significantly associated with T25FW (rs=-.11, .12), TUG (rs=-.04, .11), 6MW (rs=-.01, .20), and MSWS-12 (rs=-.16, .03). Of note, body composition metrics were not correlated with disability status based on EDSS (rs=-.11, .03). Body composition metrics were not associated with walking outcomes even after controlling for EDSS. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated that worse body composition profiles are not necessarily associated with worse walking performance, greater perception of MS-related walking impairment, or more severe disability status in MS. Future research may consider examining other health-related or disease outcomes of overweight or obesity in MS. Overall, our findings suggest that optimization of body composition may not be a target of interventions for improving walking outcomes, and future research might explore other factors that influence lower physical function in MS.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009103 Multiple Sclerosis An autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young adults and characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. Pathologic findings include multiple sharply demarcated areas of demyelination throughout the white matter of the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction. The usual pattern is one of recurrent attacks followed by partial recovery (see MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, RELAPSING-REMITTING), but acute fulminating and chronic progressive forms (see MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE) also occur. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p903) MS (Multiple Sclerosis),Multiple Sclerosis, Acute Fulminating,Sclerosis, Disseminated,Disseminated Sclerosis,Sclerosis, Multiple
D009765 Obesity A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D001823 Body Composition The relative amounts of various components in the body, such as percentage of body fat. Body Compositions,Composition, Body,Compositions, Body
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D004185 Disability Evaluation Determination of the degree of a physical, mental, or emotional handicap. The diagnosis is applied to legal qualification for benefits and income under disability insurance and to eligibility for Social Security and workmen's compensation benefits. Disability Evaluations,Evaluation, Disability,Evaluations, Disability
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016138 Walking An activity in which the body advances at a slow to moderate pace by moving the feet in a coordinated fashion. This includes recreational walking, walking for fitness, and competitive race-walking. Ambulation

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