Motor function is the primary driver of the associations of sarcopenia and physical frailty with adverse health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245680
• Publication Date: 2021-02-02T19:36:57Z
• Authors: Aron S. Buchman; Sue E. Leurgans; Tianhao Wang; Michal Schnaider-...; Puja Agarwal; Robert J. Dawe; Osvaldo Delbono; David A. Bennett
• Keywords: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Background This study tested the hypothesis that sarcopenia and its constituent components, reduced lean muscle mass impaired motor function, are associated with survival increased risk of incident disabilities. Methods 1466 community-dwelling older adults underwent assessment bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), grip strength, gait speed other components physical frailty annual self-report assessments disability. We used Cox proportional hazards models controlled for age, sex, race, education height to examine associations a continuous metric hazard death Results Mean baseline age was about 80 years old follow-up 5.5 years. In model controlling sarcopenia, each 1-SD higher score on scale lower (HR 0.70, 95%CI [0.62, 0.78]), IADL 0.80,95%CI [0.70, 0.93]), ADL disability 0.80 [71, 91]) mobility 0.81, 0.93]). Further analyses suggest strength rather than drive all four adverse health outcomes. Similar findings were observed when additional measures assess including BMI, fatigue activity. Conclusions Motor function is primary driver diverse work needed identify facets structure which together can at specific