Assessment of the association between dysphagia and sarcopenia among elderly patients with cirrhosis: Usefulness of the finger-ring test

The finger-ring test as an indicator of muscle mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in an adult community-dwelling population

INTRODUCTION

The finger-ring test (FRT) offers a simple method to screen older adults at increased risk of sarcopenia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the FRT and lean soft tissue mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to further elucidate the FRT as an indicator of muscle mass, while accounting for potential confounders, in a community-dwelling population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Within this cross-sectional study 430 community-dwelling individuals aged 18 to 79 (286 women (66.5%) and 144 men (33.5%)) were enrolled. Data regarding FRT and anthropometric measurements were collected. Whole-body composition was estimated using DXA. Binary and ordinal logistic regressions were performed.

RESULTS

The frequency of smaller calf, just fits, and bigger calf was 17.7%, 33.7%, and 48.6%, respectively. Regardless of sex, higher appendicular lean soft tissue mass adjusted for height squared was observed for higher FRT categories (p < 0.001). For the ordinal logistic regression model, each unity of increment in appendicular lean soft tissue mass adjusted for height squared (kg/m2) was associated with a higher probability of being allocated to higher finger-ring test categories, in both genders. A higher cumulative adjusted odds ratio was found for women (7.53; 95% confidence interval: 4.58-12.38) than for men (2.99; 2.00-4.48).

CONCLUSION

By demonstrating an association between the appendicular lean soft tissue mass estimated by DXA and the FRT, these results strengthen the utility of this simple self-test as an indicator of muscle mass, which can be used in the primary prevention of muscle mass decline and its recovery.

Effect of the Finger-ring Test, compared with the standard test, as a predictor of sarcopenia in older adult patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

The Finger-ring Test is valued for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This has prompted a systematic literature review to evaluate the effectiveness of the Finger-ring Test in the assessment of sarcopenia.

METHODS

Research studies in various online databases were accessed and perused, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, Medline and the Cochrane Database to identify relevant observational studies without any language restriction from database access to July 2024. To avoid missing any relevant matches, searches targeted specific words typically associated with the Finger-ring Test, such as Yubu-wakka Test and the Finger-circle Test. The research quality was evaluated using the ROBINS-E tool. A meta-analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 29. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO, with the assigned ID CRD42024593561.

RESULTS

From a total of 286 studies, only four studies met the inclusion criteria. From a total of 2754 participants, the mean age of the participants was 68.35 ± 2.57 years. The pooled association of each group of the Finger-ring Test with sarcopenia showed the bigger group (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.42-4.28; I2 = 64%), just fit group (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.13-0.67; I2 = 75%) and the smaller group (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.08-0.32; I2 = 62%).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review shows that the Finger-ring Test offers a practical method to identify older adults at risk of sarcopenia. These outcomes might serve as valuable indicators for creating public health initiatives in both the prevention and the management of sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Neurogastroenterology and motility disorders in patients with cirrhosis

Neurogastroenterology and motility disorders are complex gastrointestinal conditions that are prevalent worldwide, particularly affecting women and younger individuals. These conditions significantly impact the quality of life of people suffering from them. There is increasing evidence linking these disorders to cirrhosis, with a higher prevalence compared to the general population. However, the link between neurogastroenterology and motility disorders and cirrhosis remains unclear due to undefined mechanisms. In addition, managing these conditions in cirrhosis is often limited by the adverse effects of drugs commonly used for these disorders, presenting a significant clinical challenge in the routine management of patients with cirrhosis. This review delves into this connection, exploring potential pathophysiological links and clinical interventions between neurogastroenterology disorders and cirrhosis.

Dysphagia risk evaluated by the Eating Assessment Tool-10 is associated with health-related quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to reveal the prevalence and characteristics of individuals at risk of dysphagia in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 335 outpatients with CLD. Dysphagia risk, sarcopenia risk, malnutrition risk, and HRQOL were assessed using the Eating Assessment tool-10 (EAT-10), SARC-F, Royal Free Hospital-Nutrition Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT), and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), respectively. Dysphagia risk and low HRQOL were based on EAT-10 ≥3 and CLDQ overall score <5, respectively. Factors associated with dysphagia risk and low HRQOL were assessed using the logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Dysphagia risk and lower HRQOL were observed in 10% and 31% of the patients, respectively. Patients with dysphagia risk were older, had lower liver functional reserve, were at higher risk for sarcopenia and malnutrition, and showed lower CLDQ overall score (median, 4.41 vs. 5.69; P < 0.001) than those without. After adjustment, SARC-F (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.50; P = 0.029) and RFH-NPT (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.04-2.81; P = 0.034) scores were independently associated with dysphagia risk. EAT-10 (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.30; P = 0.008) and SARC-F (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18-1.59; P < 0.001) scores were also independently associated with low HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysphagia risk was prevalent in approximately 10% of patients with CLD and was associated with a risk of sarcopenia and malnutrition. Furthermore, dysphagia risk was related to HRQOL in patients with CLD.

Impact of low pharyngeal/esophageal pressure associated with sarcopenia on postendoscopic submucosal dissection pneumonia in patients with superficial esophageal cancer

OBJECTIVES

The aging population, including patients with superficial esophageal cancer, encounters critical dysphagia- and postoperative pneumonia-related issues. Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) provides advantages over other modalities, older patients are at higher risk of postoperative pneumonia. Furthermore, the etiologies of pneumonia are complex and include patient- (such as sarcopenia) and treatment- (including ESD) related factors. Therefore, this study evaluated swallowing function in patients with superficial esophageal cancer and identified post-ESD pneumonia-associated factors.

METHODS

Comprehensive swallowing function and sarcopenia were evaluated in patients pre-ESD and 2 months post-ESD using high-resolution manometry and several swallowing studies by multiple experts. The effects of mucosal resection and sarcopenia on swallowing function changes post-ESD, the relationship between preoperative swallowing function and sarcopenia, and the factors influencing postoperative pneumonia were investigated.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included in the study. Patients with preoperative sarcopenia had significantly lower pharyngeal/upper esophageal sphincter and tongue pressures than those without sarcopenia. However, ESD did not worsen pharyngeal or upper esophageal pressure. Post-ESD pneumonia incidence tended to be higher in patients with sarcopenia than in those without sarcopenia. The lower upper esophageal sphincter-integrated relaxation pressure (UES-IRP) was a significant factor in pneumonia development. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic curve for UES-IRP in pneumonia yielded an area under the curve of 0.82.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is associated with preoperative dysphagia, which increases post-ESD pneumonia risk. Therefore, postoperative pneumonia incidence is expected to increase with an aging population, making preoperative sarcopenia and swallowing function evaluation crucial.

Lower SMI is a risk factor for dysphagia in Japanese hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral and hip fracture: A retrospective study

Objectives

Many patients with osteoporotic fragile fracture often suffer from dysphagia that results in malnutrition, further deterioration of physical strength, and rehabilitation difficulties. This study aims to investigate the risk factors for dysphagia in hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral and/or hip fractures.

Methods

Between January 2020 and December 2021, 569 inpatients were managed for osteoporotic vertebral or hip fractures. Of these, 503 patients were analyzed and 66 were excluded as the required data could not be obtained or dysphagia with causative diseases such as cerebrovascular disease. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with dysphagia (P-group) and patients without dysphagia (N-group). We investigated gender, fracture site, age, systemic skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), bone mineral density (BMD), and body mass index (BMI) in early stage of hospitalization and studied their relationship with dysphagia.

Results

There were no significant differences in gender and fracture site between the 2 groups. A significant difference was observed in age, SMI, BMD, and BMI (P < 0.01). We performed a logistic regression analysis with the P-group as the objective variable and age, SMI, BMD, and BMI as explanatory variables. We divided objective groups into all patients, patients with vertebral fracture, patients with hip fracture, men, and women. SMI was an independent risk factor in all groups.

Conclusions

Lower SMI was a risk factor for dysphagia in hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral and hip fractures. We carefully observed swallowing function of patients with decreased SMI to maintain the nutritional status and prevent rehabilitation difficulties.