Sarcopenia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A study of prevalence and associated factors in the Southeast Asian population

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been described as a systemic disease. Sarcopenia is one of the systemic effects that is related to several adverse outcomes. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and to determine the factors associated with sarcopenia in COPD patients in Southeast Asia. This was a cross-sectional study of COPD patients who attended a COPD clinic from May 2015 to December 2016. Baseline characteristics were collected and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure skeletal muscle mass. Handgrip strength was used to assess muscle strength, and as a measurement of physical performance, the 6-min walk distance was used. One hundred and twenty-one participants were recruited. Most of them were men (92.6%). Prevalence of sarcopenia was 24% (29 cases). Independent factors associated with sarcopenia were age ≥ 75 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 13.3, severity of COPD (AOR 19.2 and 13.4 for moderate and severe COPD), Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale (AOD 1.9), and obesity (AOR 0.04). Sarcopenia affects about one-quarter of COPD patients. Age, severity of COPD, MMRC scale, and BMI status were the factors associated with sarcopenia.

Nutrition Status and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Can We Move Beyond the Body Mass Index?

“…Sarcopenia is prevalent in COPD . One definition of sarcopenia is age‐related decline in muscle mass and function, and it is usually measured using dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole‐body scan.…”

Frailty, Comorbidity, and COPD

“…Both of these studies utilized the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People definition to make the diagnosis. Using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia definition, the prevalence for sarcopenia in COPD in Asia was 24% (33). In Brazil the prevalence of sarcopenia in COPD was 24% (34).…”

Sarcopenia: Tilting the Balance of Protein Homeostasis

“…Hence, age‐related decline in muscle function, which can be exacerbated by other age‐related chronic diseases, has been found to be associated with increased risk of frailty, physical disability, and mortality . Both age and sarcopenia have been found to be an independent risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting the relationship between the age‐related decline in pulmonary and muscle functions . Furthermore, increased severity of COPD was found to correlate strongly with sarcopenia, possibly due to reduced exercise tolerance and increased systemic inflammation .…”

“…Both age and sarcopenia have been found to be an independent risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting the relationship between the age‐related decline in pulmonary and muscle functions . Furthermore, increased severity of COPD was found to correlate strongly with sarcopenia, possibly due to reduced exercise tolerance and increased systemic inflammation . Apart from reduced physical ability, sarcopenic individuals were also found to have a higher risk of cognitive impairment, suggesting the coupling of the skeletal muscular and central nervous systems .…”

“…[20][21][22] Furthermore, increased severity of COPD was found to correlate strongly with sarcopenia, possibly due to reduced exercise tolerance and increased systemic inflammation. [22] Apart from reduced physical ability, sarcopenic individuals were also found to have a higher risk of cognitive impairment, suggesting the coupling of the skeletal muscular and central nervous systems. [23] Evidently, increased sarcopenia prevalence and decreased muscle strength and endurance in different stages of Alzheimer's Disease implied possible cross-talk between the two systems.…”