Locomotive syndrome is associated with body composition and cardiometabolic disorders in elderly Japanese women

Abstract

Background: A concept referred to as locomotive syndrome (LS) was proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association in order to help identify middle-aged and older adults who may be at high risk of requiring healthcare services because of problems associated with locomotion. Cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, have a high prevalence worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between LS and both body composition and cardiometabolic disorders.

Methods: The study participants were 165 healthy adult Japanese women volunteers living in rural areas. LS was defined as a score ≥16 on the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). Height, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), and bone status were measured. Bone status was evaluated by quantitative ultrasound (i.e., the speed of sound [SOS] of the calcaneus) and was expressed as the percent of Young Adult Mean of the SOS (%YAM). Comorbid conditions of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were assessed using self-report questionnaires.

Results: Twenty-nine participants (17.6 %) were classed as having LS. The LS group was older, shorter, and had a higher body fat percentage, a higher BMI, and lower bone status than the non-LS group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that participants with a BMI ≥23.5 kg/m² had a significantly higher risk for LS than those with a BMI <23.5 kg/m² (odds ratio [OR] = 3.78, p < 0.01). Furthermore, GLFS-25 scores were higher in participants with than those without hypertension, diabetes, or obesity, and significantly increased with the number of present disorders.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that BMI may be a useful screening tool for LS. Furthermore, because hypertension and diabetes were associated with LS, the prevention of these disorders accompanied by weight management may help protect against LS.

Keywords: Body composition; Bone mass index; Cardiometabolic disorders; Locomotive syndrome.

Fig. 1

GLFS-25 scores in participants with and without hypertension (a), diabetes (b), hyperlipidemia (c), and obesity (d). HT, hypertension; NHT, non-hypertension; DM, diabetes mellitus; NDM, non-diabetes mellitus; HL, hyperlipidemia; NHL, non-hyperlipidemia; OB, obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²); NOB, non-obesity (BMI <25 kg/m²); *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; error bars, standard deviation

Fig. 2

GLFS-25 scores in participants with 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 present cardiometabolic disorders. A significant main effect was observed for the number of disorders (p < 0.01; analysis of variance). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; error bars, standard deviation