Factors associated with sarcopenia: a cross-sectional analysis using UK Biobank

Petermann-Rocha, F., Chen, M., Gray, S. R. , Ho, F. K., Pell, J. P. and Celis-Morales, C. (2020) Factors associated with sarcopenia: a cross-sectional analysis using UK Biobank. Maturitas, 133, pp. 60-67. (doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.01.004) (PMID:32005425)

Abstract

Introduction: The critical sociodemographic, lifestyle and diseases factors influencing sarcopenia, defined by the current European Working Group on Sarcopenia 2 (EWGSOP2) classification and cut-off points, have not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed, therefore, to determine sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle and health-related factors associated with sarcopenia using the new EWGSOP2 definition. Study design: 396,283 participants (52.8% women, age 38-73 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. The potential factors associated with sarcopenia were allocated to four categories: sociodemographic (sex, age, education, income and professional qualification), anthropometric (nutritional status, abdominal obesity, body fat and birth weight), lifestyle (physical activity, smoking, sleeping and sitting time, TV viewing, alcohol, and dietary intakes) and health status (self-reported prevalent diseases). P-values were corrected for multiple testing using the Bonferroni method. Results: Age, women, lower education, higher deprivation, underweight, lower birth weight, and chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic bronchitis and osteoporosis were associated with a higher likelihood of sarcopenia. Conversely, overweight, obesity, as well as a self-reported higher intake of energy, protein, vitamins (B12 and B9) and minerals (potassium, calcium and magnesium) were associated with lower odds of sarcopenia. Conclusion: Women, people aged over 65 years, underweight people and those with rheumatoid arthritis were most likely to have sarcopenia. Considering the increase in the ageing population, sarcopenia is likely to become more prevalent. Identifying factors associated with sarcopenia could inform future strategies for early identification of individuals at high risk of sarcopenia and therefore the implementation of preventive strategies against the disease.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: UK Biobank was established by the Wellcome Trust medical charity, Medical Research Council, Department of Health, Scottish Government and the Northwest Regional Development Agency. It has also had funding from the Welsh Assembly Government and the British Heart Foundation. All authors had final responsibility for submission for publication. FP-R receives financial support from the Chilean Government for doing her PhD (CONICYT-Becas Chile).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ho, Dr Frederick and Celis, Dr Carlos and Gray, Professor Stuart and Pell, Professor Jill and Petermann-Rocha, Mrs Fanny
• Authors: Petermann-Rocha, F., Chen, M., Gray, S. R., Ho, F. K., Pell, J. P., and Celis-Morales, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Maturitas
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0378-5122
• ISSN (Online): 1873-4111
• Published Online: 08 January 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V.
• First Published: First published in Maturitas 133: 60-67
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy