Probable sarcopenia is associated with cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults: results from the FIBRA study.

BACKGROUND: The link between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment has not yet been thoroughly evaluated, especially among older adults. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between probable sarcopenia and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults in two Brazilian cities. METHODS: Probable sarcopenia was assessed using the EWGSOP2 (2018) criteria. Thus, participants were classified as probably having sarcopenia if they had SARC-F (Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs and Falls) ≥4 points and low grip strength. Cognitive function was evaluated through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), verbal fluency (VF) and clock drawing test (CDT). RESULTS: In a sample of 529 older adults (mean age 80.8±4.9 years; mean education 4.2±3.67 years; 70.1% women), 27.3% of the participants had SARC-F≥4, 38.3% had low grip strength and 13.6% were classified as probable sarcopenia cases. After adjusting for possible confounders (age, sex, education, depression, diabetes, hypertension, leisure-time physical activity and obesity), probable sarcopenia was found to be associated with impairment in the MMSE (OR 2.52; 95%CI 1.42‒4.47; p=0.002) and in VF (OR 2.17; 95%CI 1.17‒4.01; p=0.014). Low grip strength was found to be associated with impairment in the MMSE (OR 1.83; 95%CI 1.18‒2.82; p=0.006) and in the CDT (OR 1.79; 95%CI 1.18‒2.73; p=0.006). SARC-F scores were found to be associated with impairment in the MMSE (OR 1.90; 95%CI 1.18‒3.06; p=0.008). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that probable sarcopenia and its components present a significant association with cognitive deficits among community-dwelling older adults. Future longitudinal studies will further explore the causal relationship.

Probable sarcopenia is associated with cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults: results from the FIBRA study / Sarcopenia provável está associada com comprometimento cognitivo em idosos da comunidade: resultados do estudo FIBRA

ABSTRACT Background: The link between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment has not yet been thoroughly evaluated, especially among older adults. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between probable sarcopenia and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults in two Brazilian cities. Methods: Probable sarcopenia was assessed using the EWGSOP2 (2018) criteria. Thus, participants were classified as probably having sarcopenia if they had SARC-F (Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs and Falls) ≥4 points and low grip strength. Cognitive function was evaluated through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), verbal fluency (VF) and clock drawing test (CDT). Results: In a sample of 529 older adults (mean age 80.8±4.9 years; mean education 4.2±3.67 years; 70.1% women), 27.3% of the participants had SARC-F≥4, 38.3% had low grip strength and 13.6% were classified as probable sarcopenia cases. After adjusting for possible confounders (age, sex, education, depression, diabetes, hypertension, leisure-time physical activity and obesity), probable sarcopenia was found to be associated with impairment in the MMSE (OR 2.52; 95%CI 1.42‒4.47; p=0.002) and in VF (OR 2.17; 95%CI 1.17‒4.01; p=0.014). Low grip strength was found to be associated with impairment in the MMSE (OR 1.83; 95%CI 1.18‒2.82; p=0.006) and in the CDT (OR 1.79; 95%CI 1.18‒2.73; p=0.006). SARC-F scores were found to be associated with impairment in the MMSE (OR 1.90; 95%CI 1.18‒3.06; p=0.008). Conclusion: The results suggested that probable sarcopenia and its components present a significant association with cognitive deficits among community-dwelling older adults. Future longitudinal studies will further explore the causal relationship.

RESUMO Introdução: A ligação entre sarcopenia e comprometimento cognitivo ainda não foi completamente avaliada, especialmente entre os idosos. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre sarcopenia provável e comprometimento cognitivo entre idosos residentes na comunidade em duas cidades brasileiras. Métodos: A sarcopenia provável foi avaliada pelo critério EWGSOP2 (2018), portanto, os participantes foram classificados como tendo sarcopenia provável se tivessem SARC-F (em inglês, Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs and Falls) ≥4 pontos e baixa força de preensão manual. A função cognitiva foi avaliada através do Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM), fluência verbal (FV) e teste do desenho do relógio (TDR). Resultados: Em uma amostra de 529 idosos (idade média 80,8±4,9 anos; escolaridade média 4,2 (±3,67) anos; 70,1% de mulheres), 27,3% dos participantes apresentaram SARC-F≥4, 38,3% apresentaram baixa força de preensão manual e 13,6% foram classificados com sarcopenia provável. Após o ajuste para possíveis fatores de confusão (idade, sexo, educação, depressão, diabetes, hipertensão, atividade física no lazer e obesidade), a sarcopenia provável foi associada ao comprometimento no MEEM (OR 2,52; IC95% 1,42‒4,47; p=0,002) e na FV (OR 2,17; IC95%=1,17‒4,01; p=0,014); a baixa força de preensão foi associada a comprometimento no MEEM (OR 1,83; IC95% 1,18‒2,82; p=0,006) e no TDR (OR 1,79; IC95% 1,18‒2,73; p=0,006); e os escores na SARC-F foram associados ao comprometimento no MEEM (OR 1,90; IC95% 1,18‒3,06; p=0,008). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que existe associação significativa entre sarcopenia provável e seus componentes com déficits cognitivos em idosos da comunidade. Futuros estudos longitudinais explorarão a relação causal.