Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MATEUS CHAVES CANDEIA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MATEUS CHAVES CANDEIA
DATE: 17/04/2026
TIME: 08:30
LOCAL: GOOGLE MEET
TITLE:

Associations between systemic inflammatory markers and anthropometric nutritional status and metabolic profile of elderly individuals with self-reported COVID-19. BRAZUCA COVID Study

KEY WORDS:

Older adults. Inflammation. Cytokines. hs-CRP. COVID-19.

PAGES: 70
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Nutrição
SUMMARY:

Aging is associated with metabolic and immunological changes that favor a low-grade chronic inflammatory state, known as age-related chronic inflammation (aging-associated inflammation). In this context, biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) have been used in clinical approaches to control inflammation. SARS-CoV-2 infection can intensify this inflammatory response, impacting health conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between systemic inflammatory markers and anthropometric nutritional status and metabolic profile of elderly individuals with self-reported COVID-19. This is a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 70 elderly participants from the Brazuca COVID Study (2023–2024) in Natal/RN, divided into two groups: (1) Without reported COVID-19; and (2) With self-reported COVID-19. Systemic inflammation was assessed using a biomarker panel that included the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and the acute-phase protein hs-CRP. Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and calf circumference (CC) corrected for BMI were the anthropometric parameters included. Glycemic and lipid profile variables constituted the metabolic markers. Comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney tests, with effect sizes (Cramer's V or r) reported. A significant difference was observed between the groups regarding ethnicity (p = 0.044) and educational level (p = 0.004), both with moderate effect sizes. When analyzing anthropometric and metabolic variables, considering the stratification of inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, normal/elevated; IL-6 and TNF-α, below/above the median), the group with reported COVID-19 showed an association between elevated hs-CRP and higher values of BMI (p = 0.050), HOMA-IR (p = 0.005), total cholesterol (p = 0.023), and LDL (p = 0.005). For IL-6 and TNF-α, no significant associations were identified between the variables analyzed. In conclusion, the findings indicate that elevated hs-CRP levels were associated with overweight and an unfavorable metabolic profile in older adults in the post COVID-19 context, suggesting that this acute-phase marker is sensitive to the inflammatory response.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interna - 1803555 - GIANA ZARBATO LONGO
Presidente - ***.476.444-** - LUCIA DE FATIMA CAMPOS PEDROSA - UFRN
Interna - 2307522 - NILA PATRÍCIA FREIRE PEQUENO