Prevalence and diagnostic agreement of sarcopenic obesity with different definitions among Chinese community-dwelling older adults

The Performance and Associated Risks of the Criteria for Sarcopenic Obesity Proposed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity in a Geriatric Population

BACKGROUND

There is no gold standard definition of sarcopenic obesity (SO). Our objective is to evaluate the benefit of using the new definition proposed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) in older people.

METHODS

Data from the Toledo Study of Healthy Aging, a study based on a cohort of community-dwelling older adults, were used. SO was defined according to the EASO and by a composite of the Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and the WHO's criteria for obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; waist circumference, >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men). Frailty [Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and Frailty Trait Scale-5 (FTS5)] and disability (Katz Index) statuses were assessed at baseline and at the follow-up (median 2.99 years). Mortality at a 5-year follow-up was also assessed. The Logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess the associations.

RESULTS

Of the 1559 subjects (age 74.79 ± 5.76 years; 45.54% men), 30.15% (EASO/ESPEN) vs. 16.36% (FNIH) met the SO criteria (Kappa = 0.42). SO was associated with the prevalence of frailty by both the EASO's [OR(95%CI): FFP: 1.70 (1.33-2.16); FTS-5 binary: 2.29 (1.60-3.27); β(95%CI): FTS-5 continuous 3.63 (3.00-4.27)] and FNIH+WHO's criteria [OR (95%CI): 2.20 (1.61, 3.00)]. The FNIH + WHO's criteria were cross-sectionally associated with disability [OR: 1.52 (1.07, 2.16); p-value 0.018], while the EASO's criteria were not. The EASO's criteria did not show any association at the follow-up, while the FNIH + WHO's criteria were associated with incident frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

The EASO's new criteria for sarcopenic obesity demonstrate moderate agreement with the traditional definition and are cross-sectionally associated with adverse events, but they do not effectively predict the outcomes generally associated with sarcopenic obesity in older adults. Therefore, the performance of the EASO's criteria in older people raises the need for refinement before recommending it for generalized use in this population.

Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity: comparison of different diagnostic criteria and exploration of optimal screening methods

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite concerns on the adverse health outcomes of sarcopenic obesity (SO), exploration regarding the applicability of different diagnostic criteria and the optimal screening methods is still lacking. This study aims to compare the prevalence and diagnostic agreement of SO under four diagnostic criteria in Chongming, Shanghai, China and assess the diagnostic value of nine screening methods for SO.

METHODS

The study population included older people aged ≥ 65 years. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia-2019 (AWGS-2019) was used to diagnose sarcopenia. Obesity was defined using percentage of body fat (PBF), percent of body fat exceeding the 60th percentile (60% PBF), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). The four diagnostic criteria for SO were AWGS + PBF, AWGS + 60% PBF, AWGS + BMI and AWGS + WC. Nine screening methods were the sarcopenia questionnaire [the questionnaire with five items to screen for sarcopenia (SARC-F), the addition of calf circumference to the SARC-F (SARC-CalF), and the addition of elderly age and BMI to the SARC-F (SARC-F + EBM)] combined with commonly used obesity indicators. Cohen's kappa compared agreement between diagnostic criteria, whilst sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and area under the ROC curve (AUC) compared the diagnostic value of nine screening methods.

RESULTS

A total of 1407 older people were enrolled. The prevalence of SO ranged from 0.3 to 9.9%. The highest agreement between AWGS + 60% PBF and AWGS + PBF. When the AWGS + PBF was used as the 'gold standard' (due to its high agreement and high prevalence), SARC-CalF + PBF had the highest AUC value, and SARC-F + BMI had the highest sensitivity. The recommended cut-off values for SARC-F + BMI are SARC-F ≥ 1 score and BMI ≥ 19.845 kg/m², and the recommended cut-off values for SARC-CalF + PBF are SARC-CalF ≥ 5 score and PBF ≥ 34.55%.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of SO varied greatly amongst the four diagnostic criteria. AWGS + PBF is recommended for diagnosing SO in older people. SARC-F + BMI and SARC-CalF + PBF can be used as screening methods for SO.

The diagnostic agreement of sarcopenic obesity with different definitions in Chinese community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults

Background

In 2022, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) launched a consensus on the diagnostic methods for sarcopenic obesity (SO). The study aimed to identify the prevalence and diagnostic agreement of SO using different diagnostic methods in a cohort of subjects from West China aged at least 50 years old.

Methods

A large multi-ethnic sample of 4,155 participants from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study was analyzed. SO was defined according to the newly published consensus of the ESPEN/EASO. Furthermore, SO was diagnosed as a combination of sarcopenia and obesity. The criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS2019) were used to define sarcopenia. Obesity was defined by four widely used indicators: percent of body fat (PBF), visceral fat area (VFA), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI). Cohen's kappa was used to analyze the diagnostic agreement of the above five diagnostic methods.

Results

A total of 4,155 participants were part of the study, including 1,499 men (63.76 ± 8.23 years) and 2,656 women (61.61 ± 8.20 years). The prevalence of SO was 0.63-7.22% with different diagnostic methods. The diagnosis agreement of five diagnostic methods was poor-to-good (κ: 0.06-0.67). The consensus by the ESPEN/EASO had the poorest agreement with other methods (κ: 0.06-0.32). AWGS+VFA had the best agreement with AWGS+WC (κ = 0.67), and consensus by the ESPEN/EASO had the best agreement with AWGS+ PBF (κ = 0.32).

Conclusion

The prevalence and diagnostic agreement of SO varies considerably between different diagnostic methods. AWGS+WC has the highest diagnostic rate in the diagnosis of SO, whereas AWGS+BMI has the lowest. AWGS+VFA has a relatively good diagnostic agreement with other diagnostic methods, while the consensus of the ESPEN/EASO has a poor diagnostic agreement. AWGS+PBF may be suitable for the alternative diagnosis of the 2022 ESPEN/EASO.

Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in the older non-hospitalized population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenic obesity emerges as a risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes in non-hospitalized older adults, including physical disabilities, metabolic diseases, and even mortality. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the overall SO prevalence in non-hospitalized adults aged ≥ 65 years and assessed the sociodemographic, clinicobiological, and lifestyle factors related to SO.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for studies reporting the prevalence of SO from database inception to October 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, evaluated the study quality, and extracted the data. Both fixed- and random-effects models were used in the meta-analysis to estimate the pooled SO prevalence and perform subgroup analyses. Publication and sensitivity bias analyses were performed to test the robustness of the associations.

RESULTS

Among 46 studies eligible for review and a total of 71,757 non-hospitalized older adults, the combined prevalence of SO was 14% (95% CI:11-17%, I2 = 99.5%, P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis according to lifestyle factors demonstrated that the SO prevalence was 17% (95% CI: 8-29%, I2 = 99.5%, P < 0.01) in older adults without exercise habits. Regarding clinicobiological factors, older adults with a history of falls (15% [95% CI: 10-22%, I2 = 82%, P < 0.01]), two or more chronic diseases (19% [95% CI: 10-29%, I2 = 97%, P < 0.01]), functional impairment (33% [95% CI: 29-37%, I2 = 0%, P = 0.95]), cognitive impairment (35% [95% CI: 9-65%, I2 = 83%, P = 0.02]), osteoporosis (20% [95% CI: 8-35%, I2 = 96%, P < 0.01]), high fasting glucose level (17% [95% CI: 1-49%, I2 = 98%, P < 0.01]), or the use of antipsychotics (13% [95% CI: 2-28%, I2 = 0%, P = 0.32]) exhibited a higher SO prevalence.

CONCLUSION

SO prevalence is high among non-hospitalized older adults, especially those with functional and cognitive impairments. Thus, SO is a potential problem for the aging population; implementation of planned interventions in the community is needed to reduce the prevalence and adverse outcomes of SO.

The agreement of low lean mass with obesity using different definitions and its correlation with hyperuricemia

Background

The agreement on the identification of sarcopenic obesity remains elusive, and its association with hyperuricemia remains unestablished. This study sought to evaluate the agreement of low lean mass (LLM) with obesity and its correlation with hyperuricemia.

Methods

A total of 25,252 study participants, comprising 4,597 individuals with hyperuricemia, were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning the years 1999-2006 and 2011-2018. LLM with obesity was characterized by the coexistence of LLM, determined by the ratio of appendicular lean mass to body mass index (BMI), and three categories of obesity including BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference (WC). We employed Cohen's kappa to evaluate the agreement among the different diagnostic criteria and implemented survey multiple logistic regression and stratified analyses to explicate the connection between LLM with obesity and the risk of hyperuricemia.

Results

When defining obesity using BF%, BMI, and WC, the prevalence of LLM with obesity varied from 6.6 to 10.1%, with moderate-to-strong agreement. In the fully adjusted model, individuals with LLM or any of the three types of obesity exhibited notably elevated odds of developing hyperuricemia. Likewise, participants with LLM and obesity had 2.70 (LLM + BMI), 2.44 (LLM + BF%), and 3.12 (LLM + WC) times the risk of hyperuricemia, respectively, compared with healthy individuals. The association between LLM with obesity and hyperuricemia remained stable and significant across different age and sex subgroups.

Conclusion

When employing the three definitions of obesity, the incidence of LLM with obesity was not high, and the diagnostic agreement was relatively good. The participants with LLM and obesity exhibited an increased risk of hyperuricemia.

Relationship between skeletal muscle mass loss and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease among Chinese patients with metabolic dysregulation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between skeletal muscle content and the presence and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in patients with metabolic dysregulation in China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients from the endocrinology outpatient department at Ningbo First Hospital, in Ningbo, China, in April 2021. Adult patients with metabolic dysregulation who accepted FibroScan ultrasound were included in the study. However, those without clinical data on skeletal muscle mass were excluded. FibroScan ultrasound was used to noninvasively evaluate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. The controlled attenuation parameter was used as an evaluation index for the severity of liver steatosis. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure the skeletal muscle index.

RESULTS

A total of 153 eligible patients with complete data were included in the final analysis. As the grading of liver steatosis intensifies, skeletal muscle index decreases (men: Ptrend<0.001, women: Ptrend=0.001), while body mass index, blood pressure, blood lipid, uric acid, aminotransferase, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance increase (Ptrend<0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, a negative association between skeletal muscle index and the presence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease was observed in men (OR=0.691, p=0.027) and women (OR=0.614, p=0.022). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the best cutoff values of skeletal muscle index for predicting the metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease presence were 40.37% for men (sensitivity, 87.5%; specificity, 61.5%) and 33.95% for women (sensitivity, 78.6%; specificity, 63.8%).

CONCLUSION

Skeletal muscle mass loss among patients with metabolic dysregulation was positively associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease severity in both sexes. The skeletal muscle index cutoff value could be used to predict metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

Waist-to-calf circumstance ratio and cognitive function among Chinese older adults: Mediating roles of physical performance and social activity

Background

In light of the potentially detrimental effects of central fat and decreased muscle mass on cognitive function, it would be beneficial to learn more about the mediating mechanisms underpinning the association between the two. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between waist-to-calf circumstance ratio (WCR) and cognitive function, as well as to investigate whether physical performance and social activity mediate the relationship between WCR and cognitive function among older Chinese adults.

Methods

An analysis of 9,652 older Chinese adults was conducted during the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a self-reported scale were used to measure cognitive function, physical performance, and social activity, respectively. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted.

Results

The findings suggest that a high WCR had a significant negative association with cognitive function (B = -0.535, 95% CI: -0.754, -0.317). Mediation analysis revealed that a high WCR influenced old adults' cognitive function in three ways: first, through the partial mediating effect of physical performance (B = -0.270; 95% CI: -0.340, -0.203); second, through the partial mediating effect of social activity (B = -0.035; 95% CI: -0.055, -0.017); and third, through the serial mediating effects of physical performance and social activity (B = -0.021, 95% CI: -0.029, -0.015).

Conclusion

The study results suggest the adverse impact of a high WCR on older adults' cognitive function, and the possible mechanisms of physical performance and social activity by which the association takes place. Multidimensional health and social interventions aimed at improving physical, social, and cognitive functioning among older adults with sarcopenic obesity are recommended.

The Prevalence and Agreement of Sarcopenic Obesity Using Different Definitions and Its Association with Mild Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND

The consistent definition of sarcopenic obesity (SO) is limited, its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been clarified.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and agreement of SO using different definitions and the association between SO and MCI.

METHODS

SO was diagnosed by the co-existence of sarcopenia defined by the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) and obesity by body mass index (BMI), visceral fat area (VFA), waist circumference (WC), or body fat percentage (BF%). Cohen's kappa was used to assess the agreement between the different definitions. The association between SO and MCI was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 2,451 participants, the prevalence of SO ranged from 1.7% to 8.0% under different definitions. SO defined by AWGS and BMI (AWGS+BMI) showed fair agreements with the other three criteria (κ ranged from 0.334 to 0.359). The other criteria showed good agreements with each other. The κ statistics were 0.882 for AWGS+VFA and AWGS+BF%, 0.852 for AWGS+VFA and AWGS+WC, and 0.804 for AWGS+BF% and AWGS+WC, respectively. When using different diagnoses of SO, compared with the health group, the adjusted ORs of MCI for SO were 1.96 (95% CI: 1.29-2.99, SO: AWGS+WC), 1.75 (95% CI: 1.14-2.68, SO: AWGS+VFA), 1.94 (95% CI: 1.29-2.93, SO: AWGS+BF%), and 1.45 (95% CI: 0.67-3.12, SO: AWGS+BMI), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Using different obesity indicators combined with AWGS to diagnose SO, BMI had lower prevalence and agreement compared with other three indicators. SO was associated with MCI under different methods (WC, VFA, or BF%).

Prevalence of Sarcopenic Obesity in Various Comorbidities, Diagnostic Markers, and Therapeutic Approaches: A Review

The coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity characterizes sarcopenic obesity. In this condition, there is an imbalance between lean and fat mass amounts. It is a prevalent issue that is gaining prevalence among the elderly population. To evaluate the condition, allied health professionals may employ non-invasive diagnostic techniques, such as gait speed, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle strength. Nevertheless, early diagnosis and treatment of pathology are essential for preventing debilitating effects and providing the highest quality of care. This article reviews the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in numerous medical conditions, such as cancer, arthritis, postoperative cases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. In addition, this paper aims to examine the available evidence regarding the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in other conditions along with their diagnostic markers and therapeutic approaches.