Search Results (4,740)

Tennis is a demanding sport that requires physical abilities and optimal body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and somatotype development of young Slovenian tennis players (754 boys and 514 girls aged 12 to 18 years) over the last two decades. Using standardised anthropometric measurements and the Heath-Carter method, somatotypes were calculated and analysed by age and gender. The results showed clear age- and gender-specific trends and differences in both somatotype profiles and detailed anthropometric characteristics. Significant differences were found in height, body mass, BMI, skinfolds, girths, and limb lengths, with gender differences becoming more pronounced in the older age groups. In boys, mesomorphy increased with age, reflecting an increase in musculature, while in girls, a shift from ectomorphic to endomorphic profiles was observed during adolescence, probably influenced by pubertal and hormonal changes. Significant sex-specific differences were observed in all three somatotype components in most age groups, especially in fat mass and muscle. The longitudinal design provides valuable data and insights into the evolving physical profiles of adolescent tennis players that support more effective talent identification and training. Despite the changes that have taken place in tennis over time, standardised measurement protocols ensured comparability, making the results relevant for practitioners working with adolescents in tennis development. Full article

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), may impair bone metabolism, particularly in children. The RANKL/OPG axis, as a key regulator of bone turnover, may contribute to these disturbances. However, data in the pediatric population remain limited. Methods: A single-center, prospective observational study included 100 children aged 4–18 years, with a comparable number of girls and boys. Among them, 72 had IBD (27 CD, 45 UC) and 28 were healthy controls. Anthropometric, biochemical, and densitometric assessments were performed, including serum levels of RANKL and OPG, and markers of inflammation and bone turnover. Results: Children with CD had significantly lower height and weight percentiles compared to UC and controls. Serum RANKL and the RANKL/OPG ratio were significantly elevated in IBD patients, particularly in CD (p < 0.01). Total body BMD Z-scores were lower in IBD compared to controls (p = 0.03). Low BMD was found in 14.7% of UC and 26.3% of CD patients. In both groups, over 30% had values in the “gray zone” (−1.0 to −2.0). A positive correlation was observed between height and weight and bone density (p < 0.01). Higher OPG was associated with lower body weight (p < 0.001), while increased RANKL correlated with osteocalcin (p = 0.03). Patients receiving biological therapy had significantly lower BMD. Conclusions: Pediatric IBD is associated with significant alterations in the RANKL/OPG axis and reduced bone density. These findings support early screening and suggest RANKL/OPG as a potential biomarker of skeletal health. Full article

Childhood obesity increases chronic disease risk, but no comprehensive synthesis has evaluated the impact of school-based combined nutrition education and physical activity interventions on cardiometabolic biomarkers in children aged 3 to 12 years. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251085194). Five databases were systematically searched through June 2025. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 18,231 children were included and assessed using the PEDro scale. Ten trials demonstrated significant improvements in at least one cardiometabolic biomarker. Blood pressure (8 studies) outcomes showed systolic reductions of 1.41–6.0 mmHg in six studies. Glucose metabolism (5 studies) improved in two studies with reductions of 0.20–0.22 mmol/L. Lipid profiles (7 studies) improved in three studies, including total cholesterol (−0.32 mmol/L). Insulin levels (5 studies) decreased significantly in two investigations. Anthropometric improvements included BMI and body fat. Physical activity increased by >45 min/week and dietary habits improved significantly. Programs with daily implementation (90-min sessions 4x/week), longer duration (≥12 months), family involvement (parent education), and curriculum integration (classroom lessons) showed superior effectiveness. Interventions targeting children with overweight/obesity demonstrated higher changes compared to the general population. However, methodological limitations included a lack of assessor blinding, absence of subject/therapist blinding, and inadequate retention rates. School-based interventions combining nutrition and physical activity can produce significant improvements in cardiometabolic biomarkers, supporting comprehensive, sustained multicomponent programs for early chronic disease prevention. Full article

Background: The consumption of coffee has been widely debated regarding its effects on health. This study aims to analyze the correlations between daily coffee intake and sleep, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension over a 12-month period. Methods: An observational study was conducted with 40 participants with T2D and hypertension, comprising 20 females and 20 males. Participants were monitored for their daily coffee consumption over a 12-month period, being assessed every 3 months. Linear regression was utilized to assess interactions and relationships between variables, providing insights into potential predictive associations. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed using Pearson’s and Spearman’s tests to evaluate the strength and direction of linear and non-linear relationships. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, body mass index, sleep duration, nocturnal awakenings, and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05) over the 12-month study in both sexes. No significant differences were noted in the remaining parameters (p > 0.05). The coffee consumed by the participants was of the “traditional type” and contained sugar (2g per cup) for 100% of the participants. An intake of 4.17 ± 0.360 cups per day was found at baseline and 5.41 ± 0.316 cups at 12 months (p > 0.05). Regarding correlation analysis, a higher coffee intake was significantly associated with shorter sleep duration in women (r = −0.731; p = 0.037). Conversely, greater coffee consumption correlated with lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in women (r = −0.820; p = 0.044). Additionally, a longer sleep duration was linked to lower FBG (r = -0.841; p = 0.031), HbA1c (r = -0.831; p = 0.037), and LDL-C levels in women (r = -0.713; p = 0.050). No significant correlations were observed for the other parameters in both sexes (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In women, coffee consumption may negatively affect sleep duration while potentially offering beneficial effects on LDL-C levels, even when sweetened with sugar. Additionally, a longer sleep duration in women appears to be associated with improvements in FBG, HbA1c, and LDL-C. These correlations emphasize the importance of a balanced approach to coffee consumption, weighing both its potential health benefits and drawbacks in postmenopausal women. However, since this study does not establish causality, further randomized clinical trials are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and long-term implications—particularly in the context of T2D and hypertension. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although prediabetes is a major risk factor for T2D, it remains largely underdiagnosed and untreated. Structured lifestyle interventions have proven effective in preventing diabetes, but their feasibility within the Brazilian public health system remains unclear. Methods: This multicenter pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility of a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention (PROVEN-DIA) across the five regions of Brazil. A total of 220 adults at high risk for T2D were randomized to an intervention group or a control group (usual care) and followed for three months. Both groups received similar educational content on healthy eating and physical activity, but the intervention group participated in a structured and personalized lifestyle program with regular follow-up sessions. The primary outcome was adherence to dietary recommendations, assessed using the BALANCE Index—a validated dietary score (range: 0–40) based on the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet that classifies foods into color-coded groups according to nutritional quality—along with engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Secondary outcomes included diet quality (DQIR), anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Results: Feasibility was demonstrated by a 93.2% retention rate (n = 205). There was no significant difference in the primary outcome (simultaneous improvement in diet and MVPA). However, the PROVEN-DIA group exhibited significantly greater improvements in diet quality, with a 2.8-point increase in the BALANCE Index (vs. 0.5 in the control, p = 0.03), and a significant improvement in the DQIR (p < 0.001). No significant differences between groups were observed in MVPA, HbA1C, glycaemia, or body weight. Conclusions: The PROVEN-DIA intervention proved feasible within the Brazilian public health context, resulting in significant improvements in dietary quality among individuals at high risk for T2D. A larger trial with longer follow-up is warranted to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing the progression to diabetes. However, to enhance physical activity outcomes, specific adaptations and targeted strategies may be required to better support participant engagement in exercise. Full article

Although evidence suggests adiposity as a modifiable risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer (BC), its association with premenopausal BC remains uncertain. This potential differential relationship for menopausal status has been insufficiently investigated in the Moroccan population due to limited data. This study aims to assess the relationship between various indicators of adiposity and the risk of BC among Moroccan women by menopausal status. A multicenter case-control study was conducted in Morocco between December 2019 and August 2023, including 1400 incident BC cases and 1400 matched controls. Detailed measures of adiposity and self-reported measures from different life stages were collected. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between body size indicators and the risk of BC, adjusting for a range of known risk factors for BC. Higher waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were associated with an increased risk of BC in both pre- (p-trend < 0.001 for both WC and HC) and post-menopausal women (p-trend < 0.001 for WC, 0.002 for HC). Current body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² increased the risk of postmenopausal BC (p-trend = 0.012). Among postmenopausal women, higher weight at age 20 was positively associated with BC risk (p-trend < 0.001), while, weight at age 30 was significantly associated with increased BC risk in both pre- (p-trend = 0.008) and post-menopausal women (p-trend = 0.028). Interestingly, weight gain since age 20 was inversely associated with BC risk in postmenopausal women in the adjusted model (p-trend = 0.006). Young-adult BMI observed a significant increased trend with BC risk in both pre- (p-trend = 0.008) and post-menopausal women (p-trend < 0.001). In premenopausal women, larger body shape during childhood and early adulthood was positively associated with BC risk (p-trend = 0.01 and = 0.011, respectively). In postmenopausal women, larger childhood and adolescent body silhouettes were also associated with increased BC risk (p-trend = 0.045 and 0.047, respectively). These results suggest that anthropometric factors may have different associations with pre- and post-menopausal BC among Moroccan women. This underscores the importance of conducting large prospective studies to better understand these findings and explore their links to different molecular subtypes of BC. Full article

Background: Chronic stress in childhood and adolescence leads to excessive cortisol secretion, adipokines production and obesity with all the negative mental and physical effects on the health of individuals and adulthood. Objectives: The aim of the present non-randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of a stress management protocol with diaphragmatic breathing (DB) and physiotherapy exercise on stress, body composition, cardiorespiratory and metabolic markers of children and adolescents with morbid obesity. Methods: The study included 31 children and adolescents (5–18 years old) with morbid obesity (22 in the intervention arm and 9 controls). All participants completed anxiety questionnaires and a self-perception scale. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), blood pressure (BP) and SpO₂ were measured. Fasting glucose, uric acid, triglycerides, HbA1c, (AST/SGOT), (ALT/SGPT), HDL, LDL, insulin, ACTH, cortisol, HOMA-IR, 17-OH, S-DHEA, SHBG were assessed, and anthropometric measurements were also performed. Results: In the intervention group, 4 months after the treatment, an improvement was noted in the BMI, BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio, FEV1, SpO₂, pulse and systolic BP. HDL increased, ALT/SGPT and insulin resistance improved. Positive changes were observed in temporary and permanent stress and self-esteem of children in the intervention group, including anxiety, self-perception, physical appearance, etc. Conclusions: A combined exercise and DB protocol has a positive effect on stress, by improving body composition, reducing insulin resistance, and ameliorating physical and mental health and quality of life of pediatric patients with morbid obesity. Full article

While personal thermal comfort is critical for well-being and productivity, it is often overlooked by traditional building management systems that rely on uniform settings. Modern data-driven approaches often fail to capture the complex interactions between various data streams. This pilot study introduces a high-accuracy, interpretable framework for thermal comfort classification, designed to identify the most significant predictors from a comprehensive suite of environmental, physiological, and anthropometric data in a controlled group of young adults. Initially, an XGBoost model using the full 24-feature dataset achieved the best performance at 91% accuracy. However, after using SHAP analysis to identify and select the most influential features, the performance of our ensemble models improved significantly; notably, a Random Forest model’s accuracy rose from 90% to 94%. Our analysis confirmed that for this homogeneous cohort, environmental parameters—specifically temperature, humidity, and CO₂—were the dominant predictors of thermal comfort. The primary strength of this methodology lies in its ability to create a transparent pipeline that objectively identifies the most critical comfort drivers for a given population, forming a crucial evidence base for model design. The analysis also revealed that the predictive value of heart rate variability (HRV) diminished when richer physiological data, such as diastolic blood pressure, were included. For final validation, the optimized Random Forest model, using only the top 10 features, was tested on a hold-out set of 100 samples, achieving a final accuracy of 95% and an F1-score of 0.939, with all misclassifications occurring only between adjacent comfort levels. These findings establish a validated methodology for creating effective, context-aware comfort models that can be embedded into intelligent building management systems. Such adaptive systems enable a shift from static climate control to dynamic, user-centric environments, laying the critical groundwork for future personalized systems while enhancing occupant well-being and offering significant energy savings. Full article

Background and Objectives: Handgrip strength represents a critical indicator of physical fitness and nutritional status in adolescents, yet population-specific reference values remain limited in developing countries. Understanding age- and sex-specific variations is crucial for accurate clinical assessment and effective health monitoring. The objective of this study was to establish comprehensive reference values for handgrip strength in healthy Tunisian adolescents aged 13–19 years and examine sex and age group differences in these measures. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2024 and June 2025, involving a sample of 950 participants (482 males, 468 females) aged 13–19 years from northwest Tunisia. Handgrip strength was measured using standardized dynamometry protocols for both hands. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, and body mass index. Percentile curves were generated using the LMS method, and correlations between handgrip strength and anthropometric variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Males demonstrated significantly higher handgrip strength than females from age 13 onward (13 years: p = 0.021; 14–19 years: p ≤ 0.001). Effect sizes for sex differences were consistently large across age groups (Cohen’s d range: 0.53–2.09 for the dominant hand). Mean dominant handgrip strength ranged from 25.60 ± 7.73 kg to 47.60 ± 12.45 kg in males and 21.90 ± 6.13 kg to 28.40 ± 4.74 kg in females across age groups. After adjusting for body mass, sex differences remained significant between groups (13 years: p = 0.014; d= 1.5; 14–19 years: p ≤ 0.001; d: 1.71–3.12). Strong positive correlations emerged between handgrip strength and height (males: r = 0.748, females: r = 0.601), body mass (males: r = 0.659, females: r = 0.601), and body mass index (BMI) (males: r = 0.391, females: r = 0.461). Body mass and height emerged as the strongest predictors of handgrip strength in both sexes, while BMI showed a smaller but still significant contribution. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive age- and sex-specific reference values for handgrip strength in Tunisian adolescents. Healthcare providers can utilize these percentile charts for the clinical assessment and identification of musculoskeletal fitness deficits. The results suggest its use in educational and clinical contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition is a common problem in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability and diagnostic performance of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) z-score in diagnosing wasting in children with CP, and its impact on diagnostic accuracy when evaluated concomitantly with additional clinical factors (birth weight, history of phototherapy). Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study included 83 children with CP, aged 6 months–17 years, followed-up in our clinic. Anthropometric measurements (MUAC, Body Mass Index (BMI)) and clinical data (birth weight, history of phototherapy, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)) were prospectively collected. Wasting was defined according to the BMI z-score ≤ −2 criteria. The diagnostic performance of MUAC z-score was evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The contribution of additional covariates was examined using logistic regression analysis and the backward elimination method. Results: MUAC z-score alone demonstrated good discrimination in diagnosing wasting with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value between 0.805 and 0.821, but its sensitivity was limited (67.0%). No statistically significant difference was found in diagnostic performance between MUAC measurements of the right arm, left arm, and the unaffected arm (p > 0.050). In logistic regression analysis, MUAC z-score (p = 0.001), birth weight (p = 0.014), and a history of phototherapy (p = 0.046) were found to be significantly associated with wasting malnutrition. The simplified model including these variables yielded an AUC value of 0.876. Conclusions: MUAC z-score is a usable tool for wasting malnutrition screening in children with CP. Although its sensitivity is limited when used alone, its diagnostic accuracy increases when evaluated concomitantly with additional clinical factors such as birth weight and a history of phototherapy. This combined approach may offer clinicians a more robust tool for the early diagnosis and management of wasting malnutrition in children with CP. Full article

Rowing is a cyclic sport that consists of repetitive biomechanical actions, with performance being influenced by the balance between propulsive and resistive forces. The current study aimed to assess the relationships between intracycle velocity variation (IVV) and key biomechanical and performance variables in male and female single scullers. Twenty-three experienced rowers (10 females) completed a 2000 m rowing competition, during which boat position and velocity were measured using a 15 Hz GPS, while cycle rate was derived from the integrated triaxial accelerometer sampling at 100 Hz. From these data, it was possible to calculate distance per cycle, IVV, the coefficient of velocity variation (CVV), and technical index values. Males presented higher mean, maximum and minimum velocity, distance per cycle, CVV, and technical index values than females (15.40 ± 0.81 vs. 13.36 ± 0.88 km/h, d = 0.84; 21.39 ± 1.68 vs. 18.77 ± 1.52 km/h, d = 1.61; 11.15 ± 1.81 vs. 9.03 ± 0.85 km/h, d = 1.45; 7.68 ± 0.32 vs. 6.89 ± 0.97 m, d = 0.69; 14.13 ± 2.02 vs. 11.64 ± 1.93%, d = 2.06; and 34.25 ± 4.82 vs. 26.30 ± 4.23 (m²/s·cycle), d = 4.56, respectively). An association between mean velocity and intracycle IVV, CVV, and cycle rate (r = 0.68, 0.74 and 0.65, respectively) was observed in males but not in female single scullers (which may be attributed to anthropometric specificities). In female single scullers, mean velocity was related with distance per cycle and was associated with technical index in both males and females (r = 0.76 and 0.66, respectively). Despite these differences, male and female single scullers adopted similar pacing strategies and CVV remained constant throughout the 2000 m race (indicating that this variable might not be affected by fatigue). Differences were also observed in the velocity–time profile, with men reaching peak velocity first and having a faster propulsive phase. Data provided new information on how IVV and CVV relate to commonly used biomechanical variables in rowing. Technical index (r = 0.87): distance per cycle was associated with technical index in both males and females (r = 0.76 and 0.66, respectively). Future studies should include other boat classes and other performance variables such as the power output and arc length. Full article

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for severe obesity, though individual responses vary widely, partly due to genetic predisposition. This study investigates the association of a body mass index (BMI) polygenic score (PGS) with weight loss and metabolic outcomes following surgery. A cohort of 225 patients undergoing MBS was analyzed at baseline (T₀), six (T₆), and twelve (T₁₂) months, with anthropometric and biochemical parameters recorded at each time point. Total weight loss (TWL) and excess weight loss (EWL) percentages were calculated. PGS was computed using the LDpred-grid Bayesian method. The mean age was 45.9 ± 9.4 years. Males had a higher baseline prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and comorbidities (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis confirmed an association between PGS and baseline BMI (p = 0.012). Moreover, mediation analysis revealed that baseline BMI mediated the effect of the PGS on %TWL at T₁₂, with an indirect effect (p-value = 0.018). In contrast, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) at T₆ and triglycerides (TG) at T₁₂ showed direct associations with the PGS (p-value = 0.004 and p-value = 0.08, respectively), with no significant mediation by BMI. This study showed a BMI-mediated association of PGS with %TWL and a direct association with lipid changes, suggesting its potential integration into personalized obesity treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prioritizing diet- or exercise-related self-efficacy and social support with their interactions may improve the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing daily fruit/vegetable intake and exercise, thereby reducing the risk of metabolic disorders in abdominally obese women. This study aimed to identify the profiles of diet- or exercise-related self-efficacy and social support among women with abdominal obesity, examine profiles related to insufficient fruit/vegetable intake and exercise, and explore associating factors of these profiles. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation in central south mainland China collected sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health-related variables, diet-related self-efficacy (Diet-SE) and social support (Diet-SS), exercise-related self-efficacy (Exercise-SE) and social support (Exercise-SS), and daily fruit/vegetable intake and exercise. We used latent profile analysis to identify distinct profiles, and binary logistic regression to examine the profiles’ behaviors and associating factors. Results: A total of 327 abdominally obese women were categorized into four profiles of Diet-SE and Diet-SS, and five profiles of Exercise-SE and Exercise-SS. Women in the Diet Dual-Low Group were associated with insufficient daily fruits/vegetables intake. Women in the Exercise Dual-Low Group or Exercise-SS Medium–Low Group were more likely to engage in insufficient daily exercise. Conclusions: Our findings align with previous evidence that women with low diet- or exercise-related self-efficacy and social support are at increased risk for insufficient daily fruit/vegetable intake or exercise. Additionally, medium Exercise-SS is associated with insufficient exercise behaviors, suggesting that interventions targeting healthy exercise should be initiated earlier among women with medium Exercise-SS, rather than waiting for it to decline to low level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Latinos, particularly those of Mexican ancestry, experience high rates of type 2 diabetes and sleep disturbances, exacerbating adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness and its associations with diet, cardiometabolic risk factors, and glycemic control in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the El Banco por Salud biobank, including 1685 participants (aged 52.6 ± 14.5 years, BMI: 32.4 ± 7.0 kg/m²) recruited from Federally Qualified Community Health Centers. Excessive daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, while dietary information was obtained via the Brief Dietary Assessment Tool for Hispanics. Primary outcomes included cardiometabolic risk factors and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Results: Excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale > 10) was present in 22.0% of participants and was associated with higher BMI (p < 0.001), larger waist circumference (p = 0.002), poorer diet quality, increased dyslipidemia (p = 0.036), and elevated HbA1c (p = 0.007). Linear regression analyses confirmed that excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly associated with higher HbA1c levels, both in unadjusted (R² = 0.011; p < 0.001) and adjusted for demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic factors (R² = 0.107; p = 0.004) models. Conclusions: Excessive daytime sleepiness among Latinos of Mexican ancestry is associated with unhealthy dietary patterns and poor glycemic control, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing sleep and dietary habits in this vulnerable population. Full article

Objectives: Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) often receive initial non-invasive ventilation (NIV). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of NIV in patients hospitalized for AHF. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. We enrolled patients admitted to our cardiac intensive care unit with a diagnosis of AHF. Anthropometric, clinical, pharmacological, and instrumental assessments were collected. Both in-hospital and 180-day post-discharge mortality were evaluated. Results: Among 200 patients (mean age 81 ± 9 years; 52% male), NIV was applied in 80 cases (40%). These patients had more severe NYHA functional class, a higher prevalence of de novo AHF, required higher diuretic doses, and had longer hospital stays. In multivariate analysis, NIV remained significantly associated with length of stay (LOS) (r = 0.26; p = 0.0004). In-hospital mortality was 5% overall and significantly higher in the NIV group compared to non-NIV patients (10% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.001). At 180 days, mortality was also significantly higher in the NIV group [hazard ratio (HR) 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–2.85; p = 0.006]. After adjusting for age, BNP, CRP, arterial blood gas parameters, renal function, and LVEF, NIV remained an independent predictor of 180-day mortality (HR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.01–2.54; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Patients with AHF who required NIV exhibited more severe disease and longer hospital stays. NIV use was independently associated with both in-hospital and post-discharge mortality, suggesting its potential role as a prognostic marker in AHF. Full article