Cutoff values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass and strength in relation to fear of falling among Brazilian older adults: cross-sectional study

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia is an emerging public health issue in Brazil. Because of its high prevalence and the lack of national data, the objective here was to identify cutoff points for appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) and handgrip strength in relation to fear of falling among Brazilian older adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study; in the community. METHODS: Participants underwent morphological and functional evaluations; and were asked about previous falls and fear of falling. Different adjustments to ASM and handgrip strength were used. Slow walking speed was defined as < 0.8 m/s or 1.0 m/s. Gender and age groups were compared using t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify cutoffs for ASM and handgrip strength in relation to fear of falling. RESULTS: 578 older adults participated in this study. Function levels decreased with increasing age, and body composition differed between the sexes. In relation to fear of falling, the cutoffs for ASM adjusted for body mass index (BMI) were < 0.85 for men and < 0.53 for women; the cutoffs for absolute handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength (adjusted for BMI) were 30.0 kgf and 21.7 kgf, and 1.07 and 0.66, for men and women, respectively. CONCLUSION:The values presented can be used as references in clinical practice and research. We recommend use of ASM adjusted for BMI and choosing between absolute and relative handgrip strength for men and women, according to study needs.

Correlation between muscle mass and handgrip strength in digestive cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

“…The weak agreement between SMI and HGS confirms that the issue of sarcopenia and dynapenia cutoffs and measurement methods, which vary across literature, have not yet been unanimously established …”

“…The weak agreement between SMI and HGS confirms that the issue of sarcopenia and dynapenia cutoffs and measurement methods, which vary across literature, have not yet been unanimously established. 8,12,23,24,29,[34][35][36][37][38] Measurement of SMI is only quantitative and does not take into account the quality of the muscle. Edema could overrate SMI measurements.…”

Prevalence of falls and associated factors in community-dwelling older Brazilians: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Moreover, falls exhibit multifactorial etiology, including a range of changes in physiological factors (e.g. increased fat mass, bone loss and uncontrolled blood glucose) 57,81,82 . For example, estrogen hormones, which exert a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease, decline progressively during the climacteric period, thereby increasing the risk of falling 83 .…”

“…Thirty-one studies 12,13,14,15,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60 reported 12-month prevalence of falls, with estimates ranging between 6.5 and 46.9%, and three studies 61,62,63 reported six-month prevalence, of falls, with estimates ranging between 21.5 and 53%. The three remaining studies reported one-month prevalence 64 , three-month prevalence 65 , and lifetime-prevalence 66 of falls (Table 1).…”

Pontos de corte para sarcopenia em idosos a partir da força muscular de extensão do joelho absoluta, relativa e por ajustes alométricos

“…Outros estudos brasileiros também propuseram parâmetros para identificação da Sc, encontrando os seguintes pontos de corte adotando o medo de quedas como variável dependente: < 0,85 e 0,53 (MM apendicular obtida por BIA corrigida pelo IMC), 30 e 21,7 kg (FPM absoluta) ou 1,07 e 0,66 (FPM/IMC) para homens e mulheres idosos (n = 578), respectivamente (SAMPAIO et al, 2017).…”