Open AccessSarcopenia: Influence of Regional Skeletal Muscle Cutoff Points and Fat-Free Mass in Older Mexican People—A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Heliodoro Alemán-Mateo,
Miriam T. López-Teros,
Roxana E. Ruiz Valenzuela,
Maribel Ramírez-Torres,
René Urquídez-Romero
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current gerontology and geriatrics research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.564
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1687-7071
pISSN - 1687-7063
DOI - 10.1155/2020/8037503
Subject(s) - sarcopenia , cutoff , medicine , muscle mass , gerontology , body mass index , mass index , algorithm , demography , mathematics , physics , quantum mechanics , sociology
Background Variation in the prevalence of sarcopenia is related to the skeletal muscle index cutoff points applied. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the recruitment process for testing different sarcopenia definitions (ASMI cutoffs) in older Mexican adults. It explored whether the prevalence of sarcopenia decreased by applying ethnic- and gender-specific, DXA-derived appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI)-cutoff points in the definitions, as well as some associated factors in a sample of community-dwelling older Mexican people.Methods This is a pilot feasibility study that included a convenience sample of 217 community-dwelling older adults. Volunteers underwent DXA measurements and an assessment of functional status based on hand grip strength and physical performance. Six definitions were formed based on the 2010 EWGSOP criteria, but using different cutoff points for each of the three components, including regional cutoff points for ASMI derived from young Mexican adults. Several risk factors for sarcopenia were also assessed.Results The prevalence of sarcopenia varied according to the different definitions applied. The lowest level was found with the definition that applied regional ASMI-cutoff points ( p < 0.01). The sarcopenic older adults had significant lower body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass (FFM) than the nonsarcopenic subjects. The risk of sarcopenia increased with age and low FFM ( p < 0.001).Conclusion The present study demonstrates the feasibility of the main study, and our data support the notion that using regional ASMI cutoff points resulted in a low prevalence of sarcopenia. Therefore, it is preferable to estimate the prevalence of this condition using ethnic- and gender-specific cutoff points and to explore associated factors such as low FFM.