Cruz Pierard, Stephanie Marie

Preferred name
Cruz Pierard, Stephanie Marie
Main Affiliation
Ambato

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    Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Neck Disability Among University Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study
    (MDPI AG, 2026-09-01)
    Rodríguez-Mata, Nathaly Alejandra
    ;
    Iñiguez-Jimenez, Samuel Olegario
    ;
    Vinueza-Fernández, Israel Santiago
    ;
    Cruz Pierard, Stephanie Marie  
    Background: Neck pain is a common cause of work-related disability, yet the relationship between serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and neck disability remains uncertain. This study examined whether serum LDL-C was independently associated with neck disability among university employees. Methods: A cross-sectional secondary analysis was conducted using occupational health records from 236 administrative and teaching employees of a private university in Quito, Ecuador. Neck disability was assessed using the Spanish-language Neck Disability Index (NDI). Serum LDL-C was analyzed as a continuous variable (per 10 mg/dL increase). The primary analysis used proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression adjusted for sex, age group, education level, and job position. Model assumptions, multicollinearity, influence, and stability were evaluated. Sensitivity analyses included a three-level ordinal model, multiple linear regression with the continuous NDI score, and nonparametric bootstrap resampling. Results: Mean LDL-C was 112.42 ± 29.09 mg/dL, and 56 participants (23.73%) had LDL-C concentrations ≥ 130 mg/dL. Mild neck disability was the most common category (58.05%), whereas severe disability was uncommon (1.27%). Serum LDL-C was not independently associated with higher neck disability in the adjusted ordinal model (adjusted OR per 10 mg/dL = 0.956; 95% CI, 0.876–1.043; p = 0.309). Sensitivity analyses using alternative-outcome specifications and bootstrap resampling produced consistent findings. Female sex was independently associated with greater disability, whereas no other covariates reached statistical significance. Conclusions: Serum LDL-C was not independently associated with neck disability in this selected occupational population after adjustment for demographic and occupational factors. Prospective multicenter studies incorporating broader cardiometabolic, inflammatory, ergonomic, behavioral, and psychosocial variables are needed to further clarify determinants of neck disability. © 2026 by the authors.
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    Synergistic Effects of Protein Intake and Exercise on Biomarkers of Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review
    (2026)
    Cruz Pierard, Stephanie Marie  
    ;
    Samuel Iñiguez-Jiménez
    Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive decline of muscle mass, strength, and function, severely compromises autonomy and quality of life in older adults. This systematic review evaluated synergistic effects of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise on biochemical and functional biomarkers of sarcopenia. The search for scientific evidence was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases (2019–2025), applying explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, like only randomized controlled trials in humans, published in English, Spanish, or French, were included to ensure high-quality evidence. After selection, the risk of bias of the articles was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Seven randomized controlled trials, with a total of 260 participants, met the eligibility criteria. Interventions combining resistance exercise three times per week at 60–80% of one-repetition maximum with daily protein supplementation of at least 15 g, mainly from dairy sources, showed synergistic effects. Improvements were observed in inflammatory and anabolic biomarkers, with reductions in myostatin, activin, and IL-6, and increases in IGF-1, follistatin, and IL-10. Functional outcomes included gains in muscle strength, fat-free mass, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Despite heterogeneity in duration and sample size, findings support this combined approach as a promising and clinically applicable strategy to prevent and treat sarcopenia. No external funding was received, and the review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025640989).
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