The relationship between sarcopenia and the maximum diaphragmatic excursion on ultrasound in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and the maximum diaphragm excursion(Dmax)observed on ultrasound in the elderly.Methods:Elderly volunteers(age≥60 years)were recruited from family members of patients at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital.Their Dmax during forced inhalation was measured via ultrasound.The parameters for the diagnosis of sarcopenia included the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI), handgrip strength and usual gait speed.We compared the differences in physical characteristics, pulmonary ventilation, physical performance and Dmax between patients with and without sarcopenia, and evaluated the relationship between sarcopenia and DEmax in the elderly via linear regression.Results:A total of 145 elderly volunteers[age(69.47±5.15)years]were included, and 28(19.31%)were diagnosed with sarcopenia.Body weight, ASMI, maximum inspiratory pressure(Pinmax), maximal power output(Wmax)and Dmax of patients with sarcopenia were significantly lower than those of patients without sarcopenia(all P<0.05).Dmax in the elderly was correlated with sex, height, ASMI, handgrip strength, usual gait speed, Pinmax and Wmax( r=0.181, 0.130, 0.322, 0.373, 0.401, 0.134, and 0.388, P=0.012, 0.037, 0.009, 0.002, 0.022, 0.009, and 0.002, respectively).After adjusting for sex, age, height and forced vital capacity(FVC), there was still a negative correlation between sarcopenia and Dmax in the elderly( β=-0.310, P=0.021). Conclusions:Dmax is related to Pinmax and physical performance in the elderly, and sarcopenia increases the risk of decline in the maximum diaphragm excursion in the elderly as observed on ultrasound.