Search

Background sarcopenia is a disease that involves the degeneration of muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance. It remains unknown whether air pollution exposure increases the risk of sarcopenia. Methods the baseline survey of the UK Biobank was used in this study. Sarcopenia was identified according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) and classified into non-sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia. Land use regressions were used to estimate concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particles (PMcoarse), PM10, PM2.5 absorbance, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO x). Logistic regression models were applied to estimate the associations between air pollution and sarcopenia and its components. Results out of 352,265 participants, 28,710 (8.2%) were identified with probable sarcopenia. In adjusted models, there were increased odds of probable sarcopenia for each interquartile range increase in PM2.5 (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.07), PM10 (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.17), PMcoarse (OR: 1.02; 95% CI:1.01, 1.03), PM2.5 absorbance (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.10), NO2 (OR: 1.12; 95% CI:1.10, 1.14) and NO x (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.08). Conclusions this study suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution might be one risk factor of sarcopenia. Prospective studies are needed to further confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of physical activity (PA) and sarcopenia is a known risk factors for ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, considering their coexistence in the middle-aged and elderly population, the interaction of these two factors remains uncertain. Here, we investigated the interactive effects of PA and sarcopenia on IHD. We extracted 344,688 participants free of IHD at baseline from the UK Biobank. PA was classified into low, moderate, and high according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sarcopenia was identified in accordance with the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate the effect of PA and sarcopenia on incident IHD and its subtypes. We also used objective PA data measured by wrist-worn devices to repeat these analyses. Over a median follow-up of 11.7 years, 24,809 (7.2%) participants developed incident IHD. Lack of PA was associated with a higher risk of IHD after adjusting for potential confounders. The hazard ratio (HR) was 1.09 (95% CI: 1.05–1.13) for individuals without sarcopenia and 1.29 (95% CI: 1.17–1.42) for those with sarcopenia. Regarding the joint effect, the combination of low PA and sarcopenia was associated with the highest risk of IHD, with an HR of 1.54 (95% CI: 1.44–1.66), and both additive and multiplicative interactions were significant (RERI 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14–0.39, p -interaction <0.01). For subtypes of IHD, the interaction was pronounced in acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic heart disease. These results suggest a synergistic interaction between lack of PA and sarcopenia on the risk of IHD. Findings from this study may help facilitate more effective primary prevention of IHD. [Display omitted] • Lack of physical activity (PA) and sarcopenia have synergistic interaction on ischemic heart disease (IHD). • The synergistic interaction is also found in subtypes of IHD. • Moderate volume of PA can provide beneficial protective effects. • Protective effects may only be achieved with moderate to high-intensity PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sarcopenia has been identified as a risk factor for increased mortality in individuals with CKD. However, when considering individuals with mild kidney dysfunction prior to CKD, the impact of sarcopenia on adverse outcomes, particularly mortality, remains uncertain. Methods This study included 323 801 participants from the UK Biobank. Mild kidney dysfunction was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate between 60 and 89.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, and sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria of the 2019 European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People. Cox proportional hazard models with inverse probability weighting and competing risk models were used for analysis. Results During a median follow-up of 11.8 years, 20 146 participants died from all causes. Compared with participants with normal kidney function and without sarcopenia, those with mild kidney dysfunction or sarcopenia had significantly increased risks of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.19; HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.20–1.37]; those with both mild kidney dysfunction and sarcopenia had an even higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.52–1.71), with a significant overall additive interaction (relative risk due to interaction 0.17, 95% CI 0.05–0.29). Further subgroup analyses revealed that the associations of probable sarcopenia with all-cause and cause-specific mortality (non-accidental cause, non-communicable diseases and cancer) were stronger among participants with mild kidney dysfunction than those with normal kidney function. Conclusions The study indicates that sarcopenia and mild kidney dysfunction synergistically increase the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Early recognition and improvement of mild kidney function or sarcopenia in older people may reduce mortality risk but would require more prospective confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence concerning the associations between gestational air pollution exposure and maternal liver function is scarce. We explored this topic by analyzing data from a birth cohort study conducted in Foshan city, Southern China. Between 2015 and 2019, we recruited a total of 49,568 pregnant women from 16 hospitals in Foshan city. Basic socio-demographical information and lifestyle factors was collected from the hospital medical records. Daily PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and O 3 exposure of each participant during study period was assessed by inverse-distance weighted method. Then, we assigned the average air pollutant levels during trimester 1, trimester 2, and the first two trimesters to each participant. Liver function indicators (liver enzymes, serum protein, and serum bilirubin) of each participant were measured during their third trimester prenatal visit. Mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of gestational air pollution exposure and maternal liver function indicators. Our findings suggested that maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, especially trimester 2, was associated with increased liver enzyme levels and decreased serum protein levels. [Display omitted] • A total of 49,568 pregnant women from Foshan City, Southern China were recruited. • Liver enzyme, serum protein and bilirubin were measured to indicate liver function. • Gestational air pollution exposure was associated with increased liver enzymes. • Gestational air pollution exposure was associated with decreased serum protein levels. • Trimester 2 might be the critical exposure window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]