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IntroductionThe determination of lipid biomarkers by capillary sampling may be useful in the screening, diagnosis and/or personal management of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular risk. It remains unclear whether the use of the Accutrend® Plus system is appropriate. This study aimed to assess its reproducibility, accuracy and concordance for blood lipid profiling in adults.Materials and methods:Fasting capillary total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentration on Accutrend® Plus were compared with their venous analogues obtained by a laboratory reference method in sixty-one adults (27 men and 34 women, aged 33.0 years). Supplementary capillary sampling was performed at two consecutive days taking into account macro-nutrient intake.Results:The day-to-day reproducibility of the Accutrend® Plus system proved to be high for TC (ICC = 0.85, P < 0.001), but moderate for TG (ICC = 0.68, P < 0.001). Strong correlations (r ≥ 0.80, P < 0.001) with the reference method were found for TC and TG. Mean difference (limits of agreement) were: 0.26 mmol/L (−0.95, 1.47) for TC, and −0.16 mmol/L (−1.29, 0.98) for TG. The concordance for subject classification according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines was significant (P < 0.001), with substantial agreement for TC (κw = 0.67), and moderate agreement for TG (κw = 0.50).Conclusions:Day-to-day reproducibility of the Accutrend® Plus device for TC and TG is not optimal and lacks accuracy when compared to the reference laboratory method. The concordance between both methods for classifying subjects according to the NCEP is inadequate. Accutrend® Plus device should not be interchangeably used as a substitution for the standard laboratory methods in the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia.

This study suggests the appreciation of the waist circumference. This measure is not valid for lean individuals, but might be for the obese. It is suggested likewise that a combination of chest and hip circumference may have a more general application within the public health sector. In summary, evidence confirms the reliability of a series of circumferences but creates doubts or rejects other colloquially established perimeters.

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BackgroundIncreased self-perceived fatigue (SpF) has already been identified in chronic conditions such as obesity, but it is also a growing problem in school-attending adolescents (±25%). This study tried to link body composition to SpF and physical activity/performance. Additionally, indicators for fatigue were determined.MethodsA total of 452 adolescents were recruited. Body composition was measured and physical activity, physical performance, and SpF were assessed. Based on the total SpF (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) outcomes, three groups were created: low fatigue (LF) medium fatigue (MF) and high fatigue (HF).ResultsFat was significantly lower in the LF group compared with MF (P<0,05) and HF (P<0.01). Grip endurance was increased in LF (P<0.05) and MF (P<0.01) compared with HF; similar results were found with the Cooper test. Sport Index was increased in LF compared with MF and HF (P<0.01). Fat and physical activity were related to fatigue (P<0.01). Decreased fatigue resistance, Sport Index and higher fat percentage increased the chance of being extremely fatigued.ConclusionThis study emphasizes the importance of using fat mass and fat percentage instead of body mass index when screening adolescents. To prevent increased SpF, it is necessary to stimulate youngsters to be physically active and to promote healthy behaviors.