Associations of sarcopenia with peak expiratory flow among community-dwelling elderly population: based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

• Published in: European geriatric medicine 2024-02, Vol.15 (1), p.95-104
• Main Authors: He, Yun-Yun, Jin, Mei-Ling, Chang, Jing, Wang, Xiao-Juan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; China - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Independent Living; Internal Medicine; Longitudinal Studies; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Research Paper; Retirement; Sarcopenia - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1878-7649; 1878-7657; 1878-7657
• DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00838-2

Key summary points Aim To investigate the correlations of sarcopenia and its components with peak expiratory flow (PEF) among Chinese community-dwelling elderly people. Findings The baseline sarcopenia status was related to PEF and PEF decline in Chinese community-dwelling elderly population by cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. Also, the changes in physical performance were associated with changes in PEF during a 4-year follow-up. Message Improving sarcopenia, especially physical performance may contribute to the increase of PEF. Purpose To cross-sectionally and longitudinally investigate the correlations of sarcopenia and its components with peak expiratory flow (PEF) among Chinese community-dwelling elderly people. Methods The data were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 4053 participants aged ≥ 60 years were enrolled from CHARLS 2011, and 2810 were followed up until 2015. Participants were classified into no-sarcopenia, non-severe sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia groups based on skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), hand grip strength (HGS), and physical performance [gait speed, five-repetition chair stand test (5CST) and short physical performance battery (SPPB)]. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations of sarcopenia and its components with PEF cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Results In the cross-sectional analysis, the prevalence of non-severe sarcopenia was 14.6% and severe sarcopenia was 4.9%. The results of linear regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia and its components were all correlated with PEF and PEF%pred. In the longitudinal analysis, compared with non-sarcopenia, subjects with severe sarcopenia were associated with a higher risk of PEF (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.30–3.26) and PEF%pred (OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.17–2.86) decline. The changes in physical performance were correlated with changes in PEF and PEF%pred. No associations were observed between changes in SMI and PEF as well as PEF%pred. Conclusions We demonstrated the associations of baseline sarcopenia status with PEF and longitudinal PEF decline. Also, the changes in physical performance were associated with changes in PEF during a 4-year follow-up. It indicates that improving sarcopenia, especially physical performance may increase PEF.