Association between endothelial dysfunction and body composition in post-COVID-19 syndrome patients

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Post-COVID-2019 syndrome is characterized by oxidative stress, contributing to endothelial dysfunction (ED) development. ED plays a substantial role in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. The role of ED on body composition parameters has not yet been described. <bold>Objective:</bold> Assess the association between ED and body composition parameters in post-COVID-19 patients. <bold>Methods:</bold> Cross-sectional study, post-COVID-19 patients over 18 years old who were hospitalized in the acute phase of the infection were included. ED was defined with rate of maximum amplitude time/ total time of the curve >0.30 measured by photoplethysmography; body composition was evaluated by electrical bioimpedance and the handgrip strength by using a dynamometer. <bold>Results:</bold> A total of 168 patients were included; the mean age was 56.1±13.5 years, and 64.8% were men. The most frequent comorbidities were pulmonary disease 83.3% and obesity 60%. The subjects with ED presented lower handgrip strength, and phase angle, as well as, higher impedance index and fat mass compared with subjects without ED. When assessing the relationship between ED and body composition parameters adjusted for sex and obesity, the subjects with ED had more risk of having a phase angle <5.8°. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> In post-COVID-19 syndrome patients, there was an association between ED and handgrip strength and phase angle. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA308/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>