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. 2021 Nov 29;11(1):23071.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-02274-3.

Prevalence of low muscle mass and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore

Siew Ling Tey  1 , Dieu Thi Thu Huynh  2 , Yatin Berde  3 , Geraldine Baggs  4 , Choon How How  5   6 , Yen Ling Low  2 , Magdalin Cheong  7 , Wai Leng Chow  8 , Ngiap Chuan Tan  6   9 , Samuel Teong Huang Chew  10   11
Affiliations

Prevalence of low muscle mass and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore

Siew Ling Tey et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The population is rapidly aging worldwide, and there is an age-related decline in muscle mass. Therefore, it is important to examine the prevalence and associated factors of low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) in older adults. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were (i) to determine the prevalence of low ASMI (ASM/height2) and (ii) to identify factors associated with low ASMI. This study included 1211 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years. Low ASMI was defined as < 7.0 kg/m2 in males and < 5.7 kg/m2 in females (bioelectrical impedance analysis). Gender-specific cut-off values of calf circumference for low ASMI were determined. The prevalence of low ASMI in the overall cohort was 59.9%, i.e., 57.0% among males and 61.8% among females, with no significant difference between genders (P = 0.1068). The prevalence of low ASMI was 81.3% in individuals at risk of malnutrition compared to 20.6% in their counterparts with normal nutritional status (P < 0.0001). Participants with low ASMI were older, had lower physical activity scores, and greater likelihood of hospitalization in prior 6 months compared with normal ASMI (all P < 0.0001). Low ASMI was associated with risk of malnutrition (odds ratio: 3.58 for medium risk, odds ratio: 12.50 for high risk), older age, smoking, drinking, smaller calf circumference, and lower bone mass (all P ≤ 0.0328). Cut-off values of calf circumference for low ASMI for males was 33.4 cm and for females was 32.2 cm. In conclusion, we found that low ASMI was highly prevalent among community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition. Other significant factors associated with low ASMI were age, smoking, drinking, calf circumference, and bone mass. Screening community-dwelling older adults for risk of malnutrition can prevent or delay onset of low ASMI.

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Conflict of interest statement

S.L.T., D.T.T.H., G.B., and Y.L.L. are employees of Abbott. Y.B. is an employee of Cognizant Technologies Solution Pvt. Ltd., a Contract Research Organization, which provides statistical services to Abbott Nutrition and has no competing interests. S.T.H.C. reports receiving honoraria for speaking engagement from Abbott. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Factors contributing to poor muscle health and its impact in older adults.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Receiver operating characteristic curves of calf circumference for low muscle mass in (a) males; and (b) females.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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