Systemic Inflammation in Sarcopenia Alter Functional Capacity in Thai Community-dwelling Older People: A Preliminary Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is linked to loss of muscle mass in older adults, leading to impaired functional capacity and quality of life. In addition, this finding was recognized as an age-related chronic inflammatory process. We aimed to determine the relationship between sarcopenia, functional capacity, and inflammatory biomarkers and subsequent prediction of inflammatory biomarkers in older adults. Methods: A total of 126 women and men aged ≥ 60 years were enrolled. Participants were required to complete a handgrip dynamometer, 6-meter walk test, and bioimpedance analysis. Diagnosis was based on the definition of sarcopenia from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. Prior to performing a 6-minute walking test (i.e., functional capacity testing), blood samples were drawn for a C-reactive protein (CRP) test. Results: A total of 12.70% were categorized as having sarcopenia. Significant differences in CRP and functional capacity between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups were found (p <.05). Older people with high CRP levels had significantly reduced functional capacity, lower muscle mass, and decreased handgrip strength. Conclusions: Poor functional capacity was associated with increased CRP levels, which might be due to the development of age-related inflammation. Older patients with sarcopenia may be at higher risk for functional decline.

The prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in Thai older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Furthermore, during the assessment of full-text articles, an additional 33 research articles were deemed ineligible, as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. As a result, 17 research articles [ 19 , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] ] met the inclusion criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis, as illustrated in Fig. 1 .…”

“…The search encompassed research articles published over a period of ten years, from 2013 to 2023, resulting in the identification of 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Among these articles, two were conducted in hospital settings [ 31 , 46 ], five in outpatient clinics [ 32 , 35 , [43] , [44] , [45] ], and nine in community settings [ 19 , 33 , 34 , 36 , 37 , 37 , 38 , 38 , 39 , [39] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] ]. Of the included articles, three were published in Thai, while the remaining fourteen were published in English.…”

“…[ 40 ] Y Y Y Y Y Y U Y Y 8/9 Yuenyongchaiwat et al. [ 42 ] Y Y U Y Y Y U Y Y 7/9 Vongchaiudomchoke et al. [ 46 ] Y Y Y Y Y Y U Y Y 8/9 Dharmakulsakti et al.…”

“…Other factors associated with sarcopenia included underweight status [ 31 ], increased waist circumference [ 36 , 38 ], type 2 diabetes in older adults [ 41 ], and depression in older adults [ 32 , 36 , 37 ]. Furthermore, prefrailty [ 35 ], malnutrition in older adults [ 31 , 34 ], inadequate protein intake [ 19 ], and elevated C-reactive protein levels [ 42 ] were also identified as factors associated with the development of sarcopenia. Nevertheless, the outcomes of the study compilation indicate a lack of available studies at present.…”

Plasma Androstenedione Concentration Can Discriminate Frail versus Non-Frail Men with Prostate Cancer under Androgen Deprivation Therapy

“…Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that chronic inflammation contributes to sarcopenia and that systemic inflammatory mediators affect muscle protein metabolism during aging [45]. Also of note, high levels of certain inflammatory markers in an elderly population have been reported to be significantly associated with determining sarcopenia status, including muscle mass index, gait speed, and grip strength [46].…”