Sex differences in the association between sarcopenia and mild cognitive impairment in the older Korean population

Abstract

Background A link between sarcopenia and cognitive function has been proposed and is supported by several investigations. Nevertheless, the sex-linked relationship between these two diseases has been scarcely investigated. This cross-sectional study investigated sex differences in the association between sarcopenia and mild cognitive impairment. Methods We included all 286 participants aged 60 years or older with MCI who visited the Department of Neurology at Veterans Health Service Medical Center in South Korea from January to December 2021. The diagnosis of MCI was confirmed by two neurologists based on the participants’ neuropsychological test scores. Diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on the algorithm of Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 including bioelectrical impedance analysis and handgrip strength, and cognitive function was assessed using Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery Core (SNSB-C) test. Results Among the 286 participants, 171 and 112 were men and women. After adjustment for potential covariates including APOE genotype, in women participants, there were significant associations between diagnosis of sarcopenia and MCI (OR = 4.72, 95%CI [1.39–15.97]), while there was no significant relationship in men participants. In eight subdomains of SNSB-C, we also found that women participants with sarcopenia demonstrated a significant memory decline (OR = 3.21, 95%CI [1.01–10.19]) as compared with the reference women group without sarcopenia after adjusting all covariates mentioned above. No significant association between any SNSB-C subdomain and MCI was demonstrated in men participants. Conclusions We demonstrated that there was a different relationship between sarcopenia and MCI by sex and that sarcopenia may affect the cognitive subdomain differently by sex. These results imply that, with regard to cognitive function, maintaining muscle function and muscle mass might be more crucial for women than for men.

Sex Differences in the Impact of Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity on Mild Cognitive Impairment among Korean Elderly in the Community

“…In a cohort study that followed a large population over a relatively long period of time, the relationship between HGS and dementia risk, cognition, and neuroimaging was confirmed, and similar results were found in men and women [ 31 ]. Conversely, there is a previous study that found differences in the relationship between sarcopenia and MCI depending on sex [ 35 ]. In this study, the relationship between sarcopenia and MCI according to sex was due to sex hormones such as androgen and estrogen [ 35 ].…”

“…Conversely, there is a previous study that found differences in the relationship between sarcopenia and MCI depending on sex [ 35 ]. In this study, the relationship between sarcopenia and MCI according to sex was due to sex hormones such as androgen and estrogen [ 35 ]. In other words, there is a difference in the distribution of sex hormone receptors that affect muscle mass in the hippocampus between men and women [ 36 ].…”

The longitudinal bidirectional association between sarcopenia and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults: Findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

“…Interestingly, the stratified results revealed that the association was not statistically significant in males and those with higher education, which may potentially explain the marginal significance in the main analysis. Recent research on 286 older adults in South Korea has also highlighted sex differences, with sarcopenia exhibiting a significant association with cognitive impairment in older females but not in males [ 55 ]. These distinctions may be attributed to variances in gender-specific physiology [ 55 ].…”

“…Recent research on 286 older adults in South Korea has also highlighted sex differences, with sarcopenia exhibiting a significant association with cognitive impairment in older females but not in males [ 55 ]. These distinctions may be attributed to variances in gender-specific physiology [ 55 ]. Furthermore, participants with a higher level of education who had sarcopenia may have been more inclined to seek medical attention and receive care, potentially contributing to this marginal significance.…”

Association between Multiple Trace Elements, Executive Function, and Cognitive Impairment with No Dementia in Older Adults

“…Nurses collected participants' data on socio-demographic information, lifestyle, and personal factors. The clinical staff diagnosed CIND, referring to all available data from clinical examinations and neuropsychological evaluations [28]. Individuals with CIND are defined as those without dementia and with cognitive impairment.…”