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Sarcopenia as a predictor of future cognitive impairment in older adults

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

We investigated the association between the indices of sarcopenia and future risk of cognitive impairment in older adults.

Design

Community-based prospective cohort study.

Setting

Community.

Participants

A total of 297 participants aged ≥65 years without cognitive impairment at baseline (mean age, 71.9 ± 6.6 years; men:women, 158:139) and who underwent cognitive evaluation at the 5-year follow-up.

Measurements

Sarcopenia parameters including appendicular lean mass (ALM), handgrip strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score at baseline were compared according to the later progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and/or dementia. The operational criteria suggested by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Sarcopenia Project were used. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the independent indicators of the progression of cognitive impairment.

Results

Among the 297 participants, 242 (81.5%) remained cognitively normal (nonprogression group), whereas 55 (18.5%) showed progression of cognitive impairment (50 subjects (16.8%) to MCI and 5 subjects (1.7%) to dementia) (progression group). Compared with the nonprogression group, subjects in the progression group were older, had a lower educational level, and had lower physical function as assessed by the SPPB; a higher percentage were depressed. Other baseline markers of sarcopenia, including the ALM-to-body mass index ratio and handgrip strength did not differ significantly between the groups. The association between a low SPPB score (<9) and progression of cognitive impairment was maintained after adjustment for conventional risk factors for cognitive impairment (hazard ratio 2.222, 95% confidence interval 1.047–4.716, P = 0.038).

Conclusion

Decreased physical performance, as assessed by the SPPB, but not other markers of sarcopenia, was independently associated with the risk of later cognitive impairment in older adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    J. H. Moon, J. H. Moon, K. M. Kim, S. H. Choi, S. Lim, K. S. Park & Hak Chul Jang

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

    J. H. Moon & K. S. Park

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea

    J. H. Moon, K. M. Kim, S. H. Choi, S. Lim & Hak Chul Jang

  4. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea

    Ki Woong Kim

  5. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Ki Woong Kim

  6. Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Korea

    Ki Woong Kim

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  1. J. H. Moon
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Correspondence to Ki Woong Kim or Hak Chul Jang.

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These authors equally contributed to this work

These authors equally contributed as corresponding author.

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Moon, J.H., Moon, J.H., Kim, K.M. et al. Sarcopenia as a predictor of future cognitive impairment in older adults. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 496–502 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0613-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0613-x

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