Citation

Cawthon PM, Manini T, Patel SM, Newman A, Travison T, Kiel DP, Santanasto AJ, Ensrud KE, Xue QL, Shardell M, Duchowny K, Erlandson KM, Pencina KM, Fielding RA, Magaziner J, Kwok T, Karlsson M, Ohlsson C, Mellström D, Hirani V, Ribom E, Correa-De-Araujo R, Bhasin S. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jgs.16517

PMID

32633824

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Analyses performed by the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) identified cut-points in several metrics of grip strength for consideration in a definition of sarcopenia. We describe the associations between the SDOC-identified metrics of low grip strength (absolute or standardized to body size/composition); low dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) lean mass as previously defined in the literature (appendicular lean mass [ALM]/ht2 ); and slowness (walking speed <.8 m/s) with subsequent adverse outcomes (falls, hip fractures, mobility limitation, and mortality).

DESIGN: Individual-level, sex-stratified pooled analysis. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) for incident falls, mobility limitation, hip fractures, and mortality. Follow-up time ranged from 1 year for falls to 8.8 ± 2.3 years for mortality.

SETTING: Eight prospective observational cohort studies.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 13,421 community-dwelling men and 4,828 community-dwelling women.

MEASUREMENTS Grip strength by hand dynamometry, gait speed, and lean mass by DXA.

RESULTS: Low grip strength (absolute or standardized to body size/composition) was associated with incident outcomes, usually independently of slowness, in both men and women. ORs and HRs generally ranged from 1.2 to 3.0 for those below vs above the cut-point. DXA lean mass was not consistently associated with these outcomes. When considered together, those who had both muscle weakness by absolute grip strength (<35.5 kg in men and <20 kg in women) and slowness were consistently more likely to have a fall, hip fracture, mobility limitation, or die than those without either slowness or muscle weakness.

CONCLUSION: Older men and women with both muscle weakness and slowness have a higher likelihood of adverse health outcomes. These results support the inclusion of grip strength and walking speed as components in a summary definition of sarcopenia.

Language: en

Keywords

hip fracture; sarcopenia; gait speed; grip strength; mobility limitation