Angel Belenguer-Varea

Dr. Angel Belenguer-Varea

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

25Years (2002-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 August 2025 in Nutrients
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Journal Article
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EGElisa García-Tercero
Elisa García-Tercero
DRDaniela Villalón Rubio
Daniela Villalón Rubio
ABAngel Belenguer-Varea
Angel Belenguer-Varea
CCCristina Cunha-Pérez
Cristina Cunha-Pérez
VJVINA JOSE
VINA JOSE
Francisco José Tarazona-SantabalbinaFrancisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina
Francisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina
Background: This study addresses the prevalence and outcomes of sarcopenic diabetes among older adults hospitalized for hip fractures, highlighting its association with nutritional status, frailty, in-hospital outcomes, and mortality. With the global incidence of hip fractures anticipated to rise significantly, understanding these associations is crucial, especially considering the higher prevalence of sarcopenia in diabetic patients, which exacerbates outcomes. Methods: An observational, unicentric case–control study nested within a real-world data cohort was conducted. It included 2631 older adults (aged ≥ 70 years) hospitalized for hip fractures at the Hospital Universitario de la Ribera, Spain, from 2014 to 2021. Diabetic patients were classified as cases, and non-diabetic patients served as controls. The study examined demographic variables, comorbidities, nutritional status, geriatric syndromes, and mortality, using the SARC-F questionnaire for sarcopenia screening. Results: The study found that cases (diabetic patients) presented with higher comorbidities, longer hospital stays, and a higher prevalence of sarcopenia, significantly impacting in-hospital and long-term mortality rates. The prevalence of possible sarcopenia was notably higher at 61.5% among diabetic patients. Sarcopenia was strongly correlated with worse functional outcomes and higher mortality. Conclusions: Sarcopenic diabetes significantly increases the risk of adverse outcomes and mortality in older adults with hip fractures. The findings underscore the importance of routine screening for diabetes and sarcopenia in this patient population to mitigate risks and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

28 May 2022 in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
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Journal Article
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MIMarta Inglés
Marta Inglés
ABAngel Belenguer-Varea
Angel Belenguer-Varea
ESEva Serna
Eva Serna
Cristina Mas-BarguesCristina Mas-Bargues
Cristina Mas-Bargues
FTFrancisco J Tarazona-Santabalbina
Francisco J Tarazona-Santabalbina
JVJose Vina
Jose Vina
Centenarians exhibit extreme longevity and compression of morbidity and display a unique genetic signature. Centenarians’ offspring seem to inherit centenarians’ compression of morbidity, as measured by lower rates of age-related pathologies. We aimed to ascertain whether centenarians’ offspring are less frail and whether they are endowed with a “centenarian genetic footprint” in a case–control study, matched 1:1 for gender, age ±5 years, and place of birth and residence. Cases must have a living parent aged 97 years or older, aged 65–80 years, community dwelling, not suffering from a terminal illness, or less than 6 months of life expectancy. Controls had to meet the same criteria as cases except for the age of death of their parents (not older than 89 years). Centenarians were individuals 97 years or older. Frailty phenotype was determined by Fried’s criteria. We collected plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 63 centenarians, 88 centenarians’ offspring, and 88 noncentenarians’ offspring. miRNA expression and mRNA profiles were performed by the GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Array and GeneChip Clariom S Human Array, respectively. We found a lower incidence of frailty among centenarians’ offspring when compared with their contemporaries’ noncentenarians’ offspring (p < .01). Both miRNA and mRNA expression patterns in centenarians’ offspring were more like those of centenarians than those of noncentenarians’ offspring (p < .01). In conclusion, centenarians’ offspring are less frail than age-matched noncentenarians’ offspring, and this may be explained by their unique genetic endowment.

Verified
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Eva SernaEva Serna
Eva Serna
DVDavid Verdú
David Verdú
AVAlicia Valls
Alicia Valls
ABAngel Belenguer-Varea
Angel Belenguer-Varea
Francisco José Tarazona-SantabalbinaFrancisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina
Francisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina
VJVINA JOSE
VINA JOSE
In previous studies, using transcriptomic analysis, we observed higher levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) gene expression in the peripheral blood cells of centenarians compared to octogenarians. This suggests the potential significance of this receptor in maintaining physiological balance and promoting healthy aging, possibly linked to its critical role in detoxifying xenobiotics. In our current study, we confirmed that AHR expression is indeed higher in centenarians. We employed C. elegans as a model known for its suitability in longevity studies to explore whether the AHR pathway has a significant impact on lifespan and healthspan. Our survival assays revealed that two different mutants of AHR-1 exhibited lower longevity. Additionally, we used a mouse model to examine whether supplementation with pomegranate extract modulates the expression of AHR pathway genes in the liver. Furthermore, we studied a nutritional strategy based on pomegranate extract administration to investigate its potential modulation of life- and healthspan in worms.

9 April 2024 in Geriatrics
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Journal Article
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ETElisa Garcia Tercero
Elisa Garcia Tercero
ABAngel Belenguer-Varea
Angel Belenguer-Varea
DRDaniela Villalón Rubio
Daniela Villalón Rubio
JGJesús López Gómez
Jesús López Gómez
RTRodrigo Trigo-Suarez
Rodrigo Trigo-Suarez
Francisco José Tarazona-SantabalbinaFrancisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina
Francisco José Tarazona-Santabalbina
Introduction: Hip fractures pose a significant challenge for older individuals given their high incidence and one-year mortality rate. The objective of this study was to identify the primary predictors of one-year mortality in older adults hospitalized for hip fractures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving adults aged 70 years or older who were admitted to the hospital for fragility hip fractures between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2021. A total of 3229 patients were recruited, with 846 (26.2%) experiencing one-year mortality. Results: Respiratory complications (HR 2.42, 95%CI 1.42–4.14; p = 0.001) were the most significant predictors of one-year mortality, followed by hospital readmission (HR 1.96, 95%CI 1.66–2.32; p < 0.001), the male sex (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.46–2.32; p < 0.001), cardiac complications (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.46–2.32; p < 0.001), and a diagnosis of dementia at admission (HR 1.37, 95%CI 1.13–1.66; p = 0.001). The Charlson Index and the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system also significantly increased the mortality risk. Conversely, higher hemoglobin levels at admission and elevated albumin at discharge significantly reduced the mortality risk. Conclusions: The one-year mortality rate is substantial in older adults with hip fractures who are admitted to an orthogeriatric unit. The appropriate management of anemia, nutritional disorders, and comorbidity at admission and during the follow-up could potentially mitigate long-term mortality after hip fractures.

1 January 2002 in Atencion Primaria
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
APA. Melchor Penella
A. Melchor Penella
VLV. Palop Larrea
V. Palop Larrea
ABAngel Belenguer-Varea
Angel Belenguer-Varea
TMT. de Vicente Muñoz
T. de Vicente Muñoz