Associations of sarcopenia and its defining components with cognitive function in community-dwelling oldest old

Abstract

Background This study aimed to investigate the associations of sarcopenia and its defining components with cognitive function in community-dwelling oldest old (over 80 years old) in China. Methods Sarcopenia was diagnosed by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. Cognitive function was evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Logistic and linear regression models were used to explore the associations of sarcopenia and its defining components with risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and performance on multiple cognitive domains among 428 adults aged 80 years and older. Results The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 35.5%, with 40.34% for men and 32.14% for women. The prevalence of MCI was higher among sarcopenic oldest old than non-sarcopenic oldest old (28.95% vs. 17.39%, p = 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that sarcopenia [odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–3.33], low handgrip strength (HS) [OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.40–3.87] and slow gait speed (GS) [OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.13–4.72] were significantly and independently associated with risk of MCI. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that low HS was associated with worse performance in global cognitive function, visuospatial and executive function, naming and delayed recall. Conclusions Sarcopenia, low HS and low GS was significantly associated with MCI in community-dwelling oldest old. The associations between sarcopenia and its defining components with different cognitive subdomains could be further explored in the future.

The Relationship Between Muscle Strength and Cognitive Performance Across Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Continuum

“…Concerning the association between handgrip strength and neuropsychological performance in elderly non-demented individuals, our results support the large corpus of scientific literature that disclosed an association between muscle strength and different aspects of cognitive functioning. Several studies have firmly established a link between a reduction of handgrip strength and poorer global cognitive functioning [assessed through the MMSE and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA; ( 14 , 31 )], or lower performance in specific cognitive domains most notably attention, executive functions ( 32 ), and different aspect of memory functioning ( 33 ).…”

Association between Skeletal Muscle Mass Index and Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward Achievement Index in Older Patients

“…Following the definition of sarcopenia by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, 5) we divided the patients into two groups: those with a high SMI (SMI ≥7.0 kg/m 2 in men and ≥5.7 kg/m 2 in women) and those with a low SMI (SMI <7.0 kg/m 2 in men and <5.7 kg/m 2 in women). We then evaluated the association between SMI and CRWAI.…”

“…4) Values of <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women were the thresholds for classifying the hand-grip strength as low; this is one of the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia defined for use in Asia. 5) Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10, InBody, Tokyo, Japan) with subjects in the supine position. 4) Skeletal muscle mass was not measured in patients with an implanted pacemaker and in those who could not remain relaxed during the measurement.…”

“…3) The latest consensus statement by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (2019) emphasized that diagnosing sarcopenia requires the measurement of muscle mass, muscle strength, and gait speed. 5) However, it is sometimes not possible to measure muscle strength and gait speed in patients admitted to rehabilitation wards because of their physical disabilities. 6) In such cases, it is important to measure the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), which is one of the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia.…”

A Multifactorial Approach for Sarcopenia Assessment: A Literature Review

“…Mild cognitive impairment was significantly associated with sarcopenia, low handgrip strength, and slow gait speed in community-dwelling elders. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was higher among sarcopenic older people than older people without sarcopenia [ 35 ]. Another study was conducted in 2020 among Thai community-dwelling older adults ( n = 330, age 66.85 ± 5.54 years, 76.06% female) to explore the association of sarcopenia (AWGS criteria) with depression, cognitive performance, and physical activity (gait speed, muscle mass, and handgrip strength) reported 16.1% of participants had sarcopenia.…”