Sarcopenia in older people with chronic airway diseases: the Rotterdam study.

Sarcopenia is a heterogeneous skeletal muscle disorder involving the loss of muscle mass and function. However, the prevalence of sarcopenia based on the most recent definition remains to be determined in older people with chronic airway diseases. The aim was to evaluate sarcopenia prevalence and association with chronic airway diseases and its lung function in an older population, using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria. We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 5082 participants (mean age 69.0±8.8 years, 56% females) from the Rotterdam Study. Participants with interpretable spirometry and an available assessment of sarcopenia were included. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) and handgrip strength (HGS) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and a hydraulic hand dynamometer, respectively. We analysed the association between sarcopenia and chronic airway diseases by using regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, total fat percentage and other relevant confounders. Participants with chronic airway diseases had higher prevalence of probable sarcopenia (12.0%, 95% CI 10.2-13.8) and confirmed sarcopenia (3.0%, 95% CI 2.1-3.9) than without. Chronic airway diseases were associated with "probable sarcopenia" (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.60), "confirmed sarcopenia" (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.33-3.43), reduced HGS (β -0.51 (-0.90--0.11)) and reduced ASMI (β -0.19 (-0.25--0.14)). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s <80% was associated with lower HGS (β -1.03 (-1.75--0.31)) and lower ASMI (β -0.25 (-0.36--0.15)) than forced expiratory volume in 1 s ≥80%. Sarcopenia was prevalent and associated with chronic airway diseases among older population. These results suggest the need for early diagnosis of sarcopenia in older people with chronic airway diseases by applying EWGSOP2 recommendations.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: E. Benz has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: K. Trajanoska has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: J.D. Schoufour has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: L. Lahousse reports awards sponsored by AstraZeneca and Chiesi, and expert consultation for Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Novartis, outside the submitted work. Conflict of interest: E.W. de Roos has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: N. Terzikhan has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: C. Medina-Gomez has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: K. Verhamme works for a research group that received/receives research grants from Yamanouchi, Pfizer/BI, Novartis and GSK, none of which are related to the content of this work. Conflict of interest: R. Williams has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: B.H. Stricker has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: O.H. Franco has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: M.A. Ikram has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: F. Rivadeneira has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: G. Brusselle has nothing to disclose.
(Copyright ©ERS 2021.)