54 Adherence to the mediterranean diet is associated with time up and go in older people with heart failure

<h3>Background</h3> The Time Up and Go (TUG) is a key measure of sarcopenia and strong predictor of clinical outcomes in Heart Failure (HF). Consuming a higher quality diet, such as the Mediterranean diet (MED) can be beneficial in HF and sarcopenia, when investigated independently. <h3>Aim</h3> To evaluate the association between MED adherence and the muscle profile in older people with HF and an age-matched control group. <h3>Methods</h3> As part of an ongoing clinical study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06217640), data was collected from 32 participants (20 HF and 12 healthy controls). Ethical approval was granted by the UK Health Departments Research Ethics Service and the Health Research Authority (IRAS project ID: 324573). Participants completed a food-frequency questionnaire and underwent physical assessment. MED adherence was scored based upon the intake of 11 dietary components. Measures of physical function were TUG, 30-second chair stand test, 6-Minute walking test and 10-meter gait speed. Handgrip and knee extension strength quantified muscle strength. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ascertained body composition. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate linear regression to determine associations of MED with the muscle profile. <h3>Results</h3> Participants had a mean age of 72 years, and the median BMI was 26.4kg/m². Our main finding was that MED score was significantly lower in the HF population (p=&lt;0.001). In the total population, MED was associated with lower total lean mass (p=0.048) and total fat-free mass (p=0.047), and a quicker TUG (p=0.018). Upon group analysis, MED was associated with a faster TUG in the HF group (p=&lt;0.05) and a slower TUG in healthy group (p=&lt;0.05). <h3>Conclusion</h3> MED adherence was associated with improved TUG in the total and HF population but was more apparent in HF. Diet quality can be an important public health strategy to improve both HF and sarcopenia but requires further research in larger clinical trials.