Objective:

To explore triceps skinfold (TSF) compressibility and its associated factors among hospitalized patients.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospitalized adult patients. Evolution of tissue compressibility during two seconds was registered and 120 TSF values were obtained using a digital calliper. Compressibility was determined according to the difference between the initial value and the final value (TSF difference) and according to time (τ). Multivariable linear regression models were performed in order to identify factors associated with TSF compressibility.

Results:

One hundred and six patients (30.2% aged ≥ 65 years) composed the study sample. Compressibility based on TSF difference was independently associated with TSF thickness (regression coefficient, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38, 0.01-0.05, p = 0.002) and nutritional risk (regression coefficient, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.12-1.23, p = 0.018), but time of compressibility (τ) was not significantly associated with any of the studied variables.

Conclusions:

Among a sample of hospitalized patients, undernutrition risk and higher TSF thickness were factors independently associated with higher compressibility assessed by the difference between the initial and fi nal TSF value. Time of compressibility (τ) was not affected by any of the studied factors.

Objetivo:

explorar la compresibilidad del pliegue cutáneo del tríceps (PCT) y sus factores asociados entre los pacientes hospitalizados.

Métodos:

se realizó un estudio transversal en pacientes adultos hospitalizados. Se registró la evolución de la compresibilidad del tejido durante dos segundos y se obtuvieron 120 valores del PCT utilizando un calibrador digital. La compresibilidad se determinó según la diferencia entre el valor inicial y el valor final (diferencia PCT) y según el tiempo (τ). Se realizaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple con el fin de identificar los factores asociados con la compresibilidad del PCT.

Resultados:

ciento seis pacientes (30,2% ≥ 65 años) compusieron la muestra del estudio. La compresibilidad basada en la diferencia de PCT se asoció independientemente con el espesor del PCT (coeficiente de regresión, intervalo de confianza 95% [IC] = 0,38, 0,01-0,05, p = 0,002) y el riesgo nutricional (coeficiente de regresión, IC del 95% = 0,23, 0,12-1,23, p = 0,018), pero el tiempo de compresibilidad (τ) no se asoció significativamente con ninguna de las variables estudiadas.

Conclusiones:

entre una muestra de pacientes hospitalizados, el riesgo de desnutrición y el mayor espesor del PCT fueron factores asociados independientemente con una mayor compresibilidad evaluada por la diferencia entre el valor inicial y final del PCT. El tiempo de compresibilidad (τ) no se vio afectado por ninguno de los factores estudiados.ciated with higher compressibility assessed by the difference between the initial and final TSF value. Time of compressibility (τ) was not affected by any of the studied factors.

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