Racial differences in body composition and survival among older adults with gastrointestinal malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle and adipose tissue measures can be quantified from routinely obtained computed tomography (CT) images and are predictors of chemotherapy-related toxicities and survival among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Most studies to date have consisted of predominantly White patients, and the role of body composition among minoritized racial groups is unknown. We examined racial differences in body composition and survival among patients with GI malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients with GI malignancies. Single slices of axial CT images from L3 segments were analyzed using Slice-O-Matic software. The skeletal muscle area (cm2) was divided by height to obtain the skeletal muscle index (SMI, cm2/m2). Skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) in Hounsfield units (HU) was used for muscle composition. We compared body composition parameters between non-Hispanic (NH)-White and NH-Black participants. Cox models were used to examine the impact of body composition on survival. We proposed new race-specific cutoffs for body composition using optimal stratification. RESULTS: Five hundred forty patients were included, of which 24% were NH-Black. In Cox models stratified by race, each 5 cm2/m2 decrease in SMI was associated with increase in risk of all-cause mortality in NH-Black patients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.49 p = 0.02). With the existing cut points, neither sarcopenia nor myosteatosis was associated with worse survival. Using a new cutoff for sarcopenia in NH-Black patients, NH-Black patients with sarcopenia (HR 2.31 95%CI 1.10-4.88 p = 0.03) and myosteatosis (HR 2.63 95% CI 1.25-5.53 p = 0.01) had worse survival. DISCUSSION: NH-Black older patients with GI cancers and sarcopenia or myosteatosis have worse overall survival.

Myopenic Obesity Determined by Fat Mass Percentage Predicts Risk of Aspirin-Induced Bleeding in Chinese Older Adults.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) correlates with aspirin-induced bleeding risk. However, skeletal muscle mass (SMM) loss and fat gain commonly occur with aging, making BMI not a reasonable marker of bleeding risk in older individuals. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of myopenic obesity based on the percent of fat mass (%FM) for aspirin-induced bleeding in Chinese patients over 60 years old. Methods: We prospectively analyzed 185 patients taking aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Body composition parameters were estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. We defined myopenic obesity (MO) as a height-adjusted appendicular SMM <7.0 kg/m2 in males and <5.7 kg/m2 in females with a %FM >29% in males and >41% in females or a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. The patients were categorized into four groups by the presence or absence of myopenia and obesity. Results: Based on the %FM grouping, the bleeding risk was significantly higher in the MO group, followed by the nonmyopenic obesity, myopenic nonobesity, and nonmyopenic nonobesity groups (P = 0.044). No statistically significant differences in the probability of bleeding events were observed among the four BMI-based groups (P = 0.502). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that MO (hazard ratio [HR] 2.724, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.073-6.918, P = 0.035), aspirin dose (100 vs 50 mg/day, HR 2.609, 95% CI 1.291-5.273, P = 0.008), concomitant use of histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (HR 1.777, 95% CI 1.007-3.137, P = 0.047), and hemorrhage history (HR 2.576, 95% CI 1.355-4.897, P = 0.004) were associated with bleeding events independently. Conclusion: %FM-based MO was an independent predictor of aspirin-induced bleeding in older Chinese individuals. Reducing %FM rather than BMI should be an optimal strategy for the management of myopenic obesity.

The Relationship between Sarcopenia and Vitamin D Levels in Adults of Different Ethnicities: Findings from the West China Health and Aging Trend Study.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia is a condition associated with progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function resulting in substantial negative health outcomes and disability in older adults. It is thus important that sarcopenia-related risk factors be explored. The present study was based upon the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS2019) criteria to assess whether vitamin D levels are a risk factor associated with sarcopenia in various ethnic groups in western China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Communities in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Xinjiang provinces. PARTICIPANTS: We included 4236 individuals that were 50 years of age or older from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study. MEASUREMENTS: An InBody 770 instrument was used for bioimpedance-based analyses of muscle mass, while a digital grip strength dynamometer was used for handgrip strength-based measurements of muscle strength. Physical performance was assessed based upon gait speed over 4 m. Other secondary variables were additionally analyzed as potentially relevant risk factors. RESULTS: Sarcopenia affected an estimated 22.45% of studied individuals who were 50 years of age or older, with respective prevalence rates in the < 60, 60-64, 65-79, and ≥80 age groups of 11.78%,19.44%, 32.65%, and 67.97%. Rates in males and females were 26.66% and 20.05%, respectively. In males, a significant difference in vitamin D levels was detected when comparing individuals with and without sarcopenia, although no such relationship was detected in females. Following adjustment for confounding variables, binary logistic regression analyses revealed that inadequate vitamin D was able to independently predict sarcopenia risk only in males (OR=1.875,95%CI: 1.109-3.169, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Among middle-aged and older adults of multiple ethnicities in western China, we found that inadequate vitamin D was an independent predictor of sarcopenia risk specifically in males.

Three pleiotropic loci associated with bone mineral density and lean body mass.

Both bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass (LBM) are important physiological measures with strong genetic determination. Besides, BMD and LBM might have common genetic factors. Aiming to identify pleiotropic genomic loci underlying BMD and LBM, we performed bivariate genome-wide association study meta-analyses of femoral neck bone mineral density and LBM at arms and legs, and replicated in the large-scale UK Biobank cohort sample. Combining the results from discovery meta-analysis and replication sample, we identified three genomic loci at the genome-wide significance level (p < 5.0 × 10-8): 2p23.2 (lead SNP rs4477866, discovery p = 3.47 × 10-8, replication p = 1.03 × 10-4), 16q12.2 (rs1421085, discovery p = 2.04 × 10-9, replication p = 6.47 × 10-14) and 18q21.32 (rs11152213, discovery p = 3.47 × 10-8, replication p = 6.69 × 10-6). Our findings not only provide useful insights into lean mass and bone mass development, but also enhance our understanding of the potential genetic correlation between BMD and LBM.

Calf Circumference as an Optimal Choice of Four Screening Tools for Sarcopenia Among Ethnic Chinese Older Adults in Assisted Living.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among residents of assisted-living facilities. However, the optimal screening tools are not clear. Therefore, we compared the performance of four recommended screening tools for predicting sarcopenia. METHODS: The study recruited 177 people over 65 years of age in assisted-living facilities. Appendicular muscle mass index was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Calf circumference (CC), handgrip, six-meters walking speed, and screening questionnaires including SARC-CalF, SARC-F and 5-item Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA-5) were evaluated. The diagnosis criteria for sarcopenia were based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) was used to contrast the diagnostic accuracy of screening tools. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 52.7% among men and 51.2% among women. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and SARC-CalF score, CC remained significantly associated with sarcopenia in logistic regression analysis. The prediction model for sarcopenia based on CC alone had the highest accuracy compared to SARC-CalF, MSRA-5 and SARC-F (AUC, 0.819 vs 0.734 vs 0.600 vs 0.576; sensitivity/specificity, 80.4%/71.8% vs 38.0%/80.0% vs 60.7%/54.2% vs 10.9%/91.8%). Differences in AUCs between the prediction models were statistically significant (CC vs. SARC-CalF, P = 0.0181; SARC-CalF vs. MSRA-5, P = 0.0042). Optimal cutoff values for predicting sarcopenia were CC <34 cm in men and <33 cm in women. CONCLUSION: To predict sarcopenia based on low CC alone is accurate, easy and inexpensive for use in assisted-living facility settings. Further validation studies in different populations are suggested.

Gut microbial dysbiosis as a limiting factor in the management of primary and secondary sarcopenia: an Asian Indian perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The article summarizes recent research advances on the role of gut microbiome in primary and secondary sarcopenia. This article also explores the potential contribution of gut dysbiosis to suboptimal sarcopenia management with special focus on factors contributing to gut dysbiosis among Asian Indians. RECENT FINDINGS: Aging and chronic diseases contribute to gut dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction allowing enhanced microbial translocation that may negatively affect muscle strength, physical function, and frailty. Gut microbiome of Asian Indians has shown a unique composition that is affected by multiple factors, such as socioeconomic status, poor hygiene, high rate of infection and infestations, antibiotic overuse and transition towards a westernized eating pattern. Current management approach for sarcopenia (exercise and/or protein supplementation) fails to address gut dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Incorporating a prebiotic or probiotic element to the intervention strategy may improve gut dysbiosis, inflammation and muscle function. SUMMARY: Gut dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction appear to be a significant limitation in sarcopenia management, thus gut centric intervention may be perceived as a (co)intervention strategy to be tested in appropriate clinical trials.

Ethnic Groups Differences in the Prevalence of Sarcopenia Using the AWGS Criteria.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia in different ethnic groups and the association with cultural life styles in west China. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: The communities in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Xinjiang provinces. PARTICIPANTS: 4500 participants aged 50 years or older in west China were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the diagnostic algorithm of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). MEASUREMENTS: We measured gait speed, handgrip strength and muscle mass by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for all eligible participants. Life-style information were collected by reviewers. Relationships between sarcopenia and ethnic groups were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: We found 869 (19.31%) adults aged 50 years old or older were sarcopenia. The mean age is 62.4±8.3 years. The main ethnic groups enrolled in this study is Han, Tibetan, Qiang, Yi and Hui. The crude prevalence of sarcopenia is 22.3% in Han, 18.2% in Tibetan, 11.8% in Qiang, 34.7% in Yi and 26.7% in Hui. Compared to Han, after adjusting sex and age, Qiang has a lower prevalence of sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44, 95% CI 0.35-0.55), Yi has a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (OR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.29-2.43). While adding adjusting other potential cofounders, sarcopenia is still less prevalent in Qiang (OR: 0.44, 95% CI 0.34-0.57). CONCLUSIONS: The crude prevalence of sarcopenia is 22.3% in Han, 18.2% in Tibetan, 11.8% in Qiang, 34.7% in Yi and 26.7% in Hui. Sarcopenia was less prevalent in Qiang compared with Han. Further studies to determine related factors of sarcopenia among different ethnic groups are recommended.

A Pilot Study of Racial Differences in the Current Definition of Sarcopenia among Liver Transplant Candidates.

Sarcopenia has been shown to have prognostic value in patients awaiting liver transplant. However, the presence of sarcopenia as a prognostic factor among patients awaiting liver transplantation might vary by race. This study aims to assess racial differences of sarcopenia in liver transplant candidates. This retrospective study assessed 102 patients on a liver transplantation list from 2012 to 2016 and used demographic and clinical variables to predict sarcopenia as measured by skeletal muscle index (SMI) and death or removal from the transplant list. Three racial groups were compared in the study: whites (n=34), Asians (n=50), and Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs; n=18). NHOPI were more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 and hepatitis B, and less likely to have alcoholic cirrhosis and sarcopenia than whites. Asians were more likely to have hepatitis B and less likely to have alcoholic cirrhosis and encephalopathy than other races. Using logistic regression, a BMI ≥ 30, multiple waiting list events, alcoholic cirrhosis, and sarcopenia were predictive of death or removal from the list. Although NHOPI had a higher BMI, they had less sarcopenia and similar frequency of ascites, encephalopathy, multiple waiting list events, and death or removal from the list compared to other races. Racial variations in muscle mass might have resulted in fewer NHOPI having sarcopenia as defined by the US criteria. Larger studies of patients with varying ethnicity are needed to develop a universally applicable definition of sarcopenia before we use this for liver transplant listing or allocation.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in multi ethnics adults and the association with cognitive impairment: findings from West-China health and aging trend study.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a condition that is characterized by loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle functional impairment with ageing. It is associated with poor health outcomes, premature death and a significant burden on the global health economy. The prevalence of sarcopenia in China is unknown since most of the studies are lack of uniform standard. The study was undertaken to study the prevalence of sarcopenia and the association with cognitive impairment among multi-ethnic adults aged 50 years old or older in western China. METHODS: We measured gait speed, handgrip strength and muscle mass by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for all eligible participants and 4500 participants were eligible for the analysis. We defined sarcopenia using the diagnostic algorithm recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). We assessed the participants' cognitive functions using the 10-item Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Relationships between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 4500 participants (mean age 62.4 ± 8.3 years), 869 (19.31%) adults were sarcopenia. 446 (9.9%) participants were identified as having mild cognitive impairment, 144 (3.2%) adults were identified as having moderate/severe cognitive impairment. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnics and other potential cofounders, cognitive impairment was found to be independently associated with sarcopenia with a dosage effect (mild cognitive impairment: odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% CI 1.10-1.82; moderate/severe cognitive impairment: OR: 3.05, 95% CI 2.08-4.49). After gender stratification, the association between mild cognitive impairment with sarcopenia in male is not significant, while is still significant in female. While the association between moderate/severe cognitive impairment is independently associated with sarcopenia in both male and female. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of sarcopenia, mild cognitive impairment, moderate/severe cognitive impairment among the communities aged 50 or older in western China were 19.31, 9.9 and 3.2%, respectively. Cognitive impairment was significantly associated with sarcopenia with a dosage effect, especially in female.

Estimation of appendicular skeletal muscle: Development and validation of anthropometric prediction equations in Chinese patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop anthropometric prediction equations for estimating appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) in Chinese knee osteoarthritis patients. METHODS: Subjects were divided into the model development group (MD group: 104 cases, 47 men and 57 women) and cross-validation group (CV group: 69 cases, 38 men and 31 women). Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were undertaken in the MD group to identify the best equations. Agreement between the estimated ASM and ASM measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was tested in the CV group. RESULTS: Two models were developed in the MD group. Validation in the CV group showed that our models (R2  = 0.83 and R2  = 0.90) had a high coefficient of determination. The mean bias of ASM estimated by the two models from the ASM measured by DXA in the CV group showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These models could be useful for older Chinese patients with knee osteoarthritis to estimate ASM.

Body Composition of Filipino Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients in Relation to Their Lung Function, Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life.

Background and objectives: The loss of muscle or fat free mass (FFM) as a result of systemic inflammation and poor nutrition in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), is recognized as an important factor that influences symptoms and disease-related outcomes. To date, there are no data on body composition among Filipino COPD patients and how it impacts COPD disease severity. This paper examined the relationship of Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI = FFM/height) and sarcopenia with COPD disease severity variables. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytic study comparing low and normal FFMI, sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic COPD patients, in terms of lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life score. Filipino COPD patients older than 40 years were included. Patients performed six minute walking distance (6MWD), handgrip strength (HGS), and quality of life status evaluation using Filipino version of COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results: A total of 41 patients were included. The mean age was 69.22 years. The prevalence of being underweight and having sarcopenia was 32% and 46%, respectively. Point biserial correlation showed that COPD patients with low FFMI had a statistically significant reduction in peak inspiratory flow (r= -0.5791, P value 0.0002), peak expiratory flow (r= -0.4475, P value 0.0055), and handgrip strength (r= -0.4560, P value 0.0027); and lower CAT score (r= -0.3422, P value 0.0285). Similar findings were observed among sarcopenic COPD patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of being underweight and having sarcopenia was high. Low FFMI results in reduction of lung function and upper limb muscle strength among Filipino COPD patients.

Mitochondrial oxidative capacity and NAD+ biosynthesis are reduced in human sarcopenia across ethnicities.

The causes of impaired skeletal muscle mass and strength during aging are well-studied in healthy populations. Less is known on pathological age-related muscle wasting and weakness termed sarcopenia, which directly impacts physical autonomy and survival. Here, we compare genome-wide transcriptional changes of sarcopenia versus age-matched controls in muscle biopsies from 119 older men from Singapore, Hertfordshire UK and Jamaica. Individuals with sarcopenia reproducibly demonstrate a prominent transcriptional signature of mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction in skeletal muscle, with low PGC-1α/ERRα signalling, and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial proteostasis genes. These changes translate functionally into fewer mitochondria, reduced mitochondrial respiratory complex expression and activity, and low NAD+ levels through perturbed NAD+ biosynthesis and salvage in sarcopenic muscle. We provide an integrated molecular profile of human sarcopenia across ethnicities, demonstrating a fundamental role of altered mitochondrial metabolism in the pathological loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in older people.

The Need for a New Cut-off Value to Increase Diagnostic Performance of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Compared with Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry to Measure Muscle Mass in Indonesian Elderly.

BACKGROUND: the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is affected by the population setting, the type of BIA, and the cut-off point being used. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of BIA to measure muscle mass in Indonesian elderly outpatients aged 60 years or more. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted at the Geriatric Clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from April to June 2018. The muscle mass was measured using BIA Tanita MC-780MA (Tokyo, Japan) with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference test. Analysis on the cut-off point was performed based on the Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria and the new cut-off point. RESULTS: from 120 subjects, 74 were female (61.7%). The diagnostic performance of BIA based on AWGS criteria only showed sensitivity and specificity of 79.2% and 66.7%. The diagnostic performance of BIA based on the new cut-off point showed sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 92.7%. The new cut-off point using BIA was found to be <6.9 kg/m2 in males (sensitivity 70.6%; specificity 82.8%) and <5 kg/m2 in females (sensitivity 85.7%; specificity 97%). CONCLUSION: the diagnostic performance of BIA Tanita MC-780MA (Tokyo, Japan) was good to measure muscle mass in Indonesian elderly outpatients using a new cut-off point of <6.9 kg/m2 for males and <5 kg/m2 for females.

Utility of the Z-score of log-transformed A Body Shape Index (LBSIZ) in the assessment for sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular disease risk in the United States.

Body mass index (BMI) has limited accuracy for predicting cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is not capable of identifying sarcopenic obesity, the combination of sarcopenia (an age-associated decline in muscle mass and physical function) and obesity. To overcome this, the z-score of the log-transformed A Body Shape Index (LBSIZ) was recently introduced as a measure of obesity using waist circumference, height, and weight. We aimed to investigate the association of LBSIZ with sarcopenic obesity and CVD, and propose appropriate cut-off values using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016 data. Of 92,062 participants, 40,468 adults (≥20 years) were included. Overall area under curve (AUC) of LBSIZ was 0.735 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.716-0.754) for sarcopenic obesity, and 0.695 (95% CI: 0.687-0.703) for CVD. The subgroup analysis of ethnicity/race showed similar results. Waist circumference (WC), BMI, conicity index, body roundness index (BRI), Clinica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE), new BMI, and waist to height ratio (WHtR) showed a negative association with sarcopenic obesity, while LBSIZ and conicity index showed a positive association. The AUC of LBSIZ was significantly higher for sarcopenic obesity than that of conicity index (p < 0.001). The AUC of LBSIZ was significantly higher for CVD than those of parameters including WC, BMI, BRI, CUN-BAE, new BMI, and WHtR (p < 0.001). The AUC for conicity index alone was comparable to that of LBSIZ for CVD. Overall LBSIZ cut-off was 0.35 for both sarcopenic obesity (sensitivity, 65.3%; specificity, 71.5%) and CVD (sensitivity, 63.3%; specificity, 66.6%). These results may be useful not only to identify sarcopenic obesity, but also to conduct CVD risk assessment in the clinical setting.

Prevalence of and factors associated with sarcopenia among multi-ethnic ambulatory older Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, which increases fall risks in older persons. Hyperglycemia relating to Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is postulated to aggravate sarcopenia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among ambulatory community-dwelling older patients, aged 60-89 years, with T2DM in a primary care setting and to identify factors which mitigate sarcopenia. METHODS: A total of 387 patients were recruited from a public primary care clinic in Singapore. Data on their socio-demography, clinical and functional status, levels of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and frailty status was collected. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria were used to define sarcopenia based on muscle mass, grip strength and gait speed. RESULTS: The study population comprised men (53%), Chinese (69%), mean age = 68.3 ± SD5.66 years, lived in public housing (90%), had hypertension (88%) and dyslipidemia (96%). Their mean muscle mass was 6.3 ± SD1.2 kg/m2; mean gait speed was 1.0 ± SD0.2 m/s and mean grip strength was 25.5 ± SD8.1 kg. Overall, 30% had pre-sarcopenia, 24% with sarcopenia and 4% with severe sarcopenia. Age (OR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.09-1.20;p < 0.001), multi-morbidity (OR = 1.25;95%CI = 1.05-1.49;p = 0.011) diabetic nephropathy (OR = 2.50;95%CI = 1.35-5.13;p = 0.004), hip circumference (OR = 0.86;95%CI = 0.82-0.90;p < 0.001) and number of clinic visits in past 1 year (OR = 0.74; 95%CI = 0.59-0.92;p = 0.008) were associated with sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Using AWGS criteria, 58% of older patients with T2DM had pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia. Age, diabetic nephropathy, hip circumference, multi-morbidity and fewer clinic visits, but not a recent single HBA1c reading, were significantly associated with sarcopenia among patients with T2DM. A longitudinal relationship between clinic visits and sarcopenia should be further evaluated. (250 words).

[Levels of skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength in adults from 10 regions of China].

Objective: To describe the regional and population-related differences in skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength across the 10 regions of China. Methods: 24 533 participants aged 38-88 years from the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank were included in our analyses. Appendicular and trunk skeletal muscle mass were assessed using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (TANITA). Handgrip strength was measured using Jamar hand-held dynamometer. Low muscle mass and low muscle strength were defined as the lowest quintile of height-adjusted appendicular muscle mass or handgrip strength according to the Consensus Report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We analyzed the mean value of absolute muscle mass, height-adjusted muscle mass, weight-adjusted muscle mass and handgrip strength. We also reported the prevalence of low muscle mass and low muscle strength. Results: The average appendicular and total skeletal muscle mass were (22.0±0.02) kg and (49.7±0.05) kg in men, which were higher than in women [(15.9±0.02) kg and (37.2±0.04) kg, respectively]. The handgrip strength was (32.6±0.06) kg in men, which was higher than (19.9±0.05) kg in women. The absolute muscle mass was higher in north area and urban region (P<0.001). The weight-adjusted muscle mass showed reverse patterns of regional difference compared with height-adjusted muscle mass. Both muscle mass and handgrip strength decreased by age (trend P<0.001), with a larger decline observed in handgrip strength. According to AWGS criteria, the proportions of low muscle mass and strength increased by age. Among participants over 80 years old, the prevalence of low muscle mass and strength were 56.2% and 74.5% in men, and 35.7% and 66.0% in women. Conclusions: Levels of skeletal muscle mass and strength varied greatly among people from 10 regions and among participants with different demographic characteristics. The prevalence of low muscle mass and strength was extremely high in elderly.

The association of medical and demographic characteristics with sarcopenia and low muscle radiodensity in patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) have been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC); however, factors contributing to these 2 muscle abnormalities are unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of medical and demographic characteristics with muscle abnormalities among patients with nonmetastatic CRC. METHODS: Patients with stage I-III invasive CRC (2006-11) who had diagnostic computed tomography (CT) available from Kaiser Permanente Northern California electronic medical records were included. CT-assessed sarcopenia and low SMD were defined according to optimal stratification. Logistic regressions including age, stage, site, total adipose tissue (TAT), race/ethnicity, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, smoking history, alcohol use, and Charlson Comorbidity Score were performed to identify characteristics associated with muscle abnormalities. RESULTS: The study included 3262 patients (49.9% females) with a mean ± SD age of 62.6 ± 11.4 y. Sarcopenia and low SMD were highly prevalent (42.4% and 29.6%, respectively). Age and sex interactions were noted for muscle mass, but not SMD. Age was associated with higher odds of muscle abnormalities in a dose-response manner. Compared with those aged ≤50 y, patients aged 70-80 y had considerably higher odds (OR: 6.19; 95% CI: 4.72, 8.11) of sarcopenia, and low SMD (OR: 17.81; 95% CI: 11.73, 27.03). High TAT was related to a higher odds of low SMD (OR: 9.62; 95% CI: 7.37, 12.56), but lower odds of sarcopenia (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.71). Compared with Caucasians, African Americans had lower odds of sarcopenia and low SMD. Patients with a higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio had higher odds of having both muscle abnormalities. Patients who were smokers or had any comorbidity had higher odds of low SMD, but not sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle abnormalities were common in patients with nonmetastatic CRC, with great variability in muscle mass and SMD across age, TAT, and race/ethnicity. Factors associated with muscle abnormalities may be used to facilitate risk stratification and the guidance of targeted strategies to counteract these abnormalities.

Lack of Association Between Vitamin D and Hand Grip Strength in Asians: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Despite the beneficial role and plausible mechanism of vitamin D on skeletal muscle in animal studies, its association in humans remains a controversial issue due to inconsistent clinical results, especially in older Asians. This was a population-based, cross-sectional study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which enrolled 354 men aged ≥ 50 years and 328 postmenopausal women. Hand grip strength (HGS) was measured using a digital grip strength dynamometer. Low muscle strength was defined based on Korean-specific cut-off point of HGS. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were 19.4 ± 6.7 and 17.1 ± 7.2 ng/mL in men and women, respectively. Among covariates including age, body mass index, lifestyle factors, and protein intake, age was inversely associated with HGS in both men and women, and protein intake (g/day) was positively associated with HGS only in men. However, the independent correlation between serum 25(OH)D and HGS was not observed, regardless of gender. When subjects were divided into three groups [deficient (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL; 63.8%), insufficient (20 ≤ 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL; 30.0%), or sufficient (25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL; 6.2%)], there was no significant difference in HGS among these groups in both men and women. Consistently, serum 25(OH)D was not significantly different between subjects with and without low muscle strength, and there was no independent association of serum 25(OH)D with the risk of low muscle strength in both genders. These findings provide clinical evidence that protective role of vitamin D on human muscle metabolism may not be evident at least in older Asians.

Independent Association Between Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Sarcopenia in Older U.K. Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correlation between sarcopenia and arterial stiffness in Caucasians, centering on the relationship between skeletal mass index (SMI) and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) to assess the use of CAVI in predicting sarcopenia. DESIGN CROSS-SECTIONAL SETTING: United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: UK adults aged 45 years and over (N = 366, n = 177 male, n = 189 female). MEASUREMENTS: Bioimpedance analysis was used to derive SMI. CAVI score was calculated using a vascular screening system. Handgrip strength was measured using a standard dynamometer. RESULTS: Average CAVI was significantly correlated with SMI (correlation coefficient (r) = -0.285, p < .001), with higher correlation in women (r = -0.416, p < .001) than men (r = -0.214, p = .01). CAVI had the highest correlation with SMI from appendicular muscle (fat-free mass in men, r = -0.253, p = .002; predicted muscle mass in women, r = -0.436, p < .001). There was a significant difference in average CAVI between groups, with participants who were not sarcopenic having lower CAVI (8.98) than those who were sarcopenic (9.80) (p < .001, t-test). Linear regression was performed using SMI as the dependent variable. After adjustment for age, average CAVI was a significant predictor of SMI in women (beta = -0.332, p < .001) but not men. CONCLUSION: Indices of sarcopenia are independently associated with a higher CAVI, with greater correlation in women than men. The CAVI can be used to assess overall vascular compliance and may be a useful operator-independent tool that can be used to measure sarcopenia and its cardiovascular implications in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:317-322, 2019.