Sarcopoenia tied to metabolic syndrome risk

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-defined sarcopoenia appears to be an indicator of the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a recent study has shown.

The study included 13,620 participants (mean age, 48.1±13.1 years; 54.5 percent men) who had undergone appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) measurement using BIA, and were categorized into quartiles of the percentage of ASM (ASM%). MetS was defined according to participant waist circumference, lipid profile, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and need for medication.

The prevalence rate of MetS was 34.2 percent in the bottom quartile of ASM%, subsequently dropping to 16.8 percent, 11.3 percent, and 3.3 percent in the second, third, and top quartiles, respectively (p_trend<0.001).

Sarcopoenia, defined as ASM% <29.0 in men and <22.9 in women, increased the odds of developing MetS by over five times (odds ratio [OR], 5.306, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 4.656–6.046; p<0.001). Sarcopoenia remained linked to MetS across all age groups.

Complete adjustment for age, sex, obesity, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities, sarcopoenia continued to be a significant correlate of MetS, though to a weaker degree (OR, 2.291, 95 percent CI, 1.874–2.801; p<0.001).

Notably, researchers observed a dose-response interaction between ASM% and MetS risk, such that as the former increased, the latter dropped. For each quartile increase in ASM%, the likelihood of MetS decreased by 56 percent (OR per quartile increment, 0.443, 95 percent CI, 0.422–0.466; p<0.001).

“By measuring sarcopoenia using BIA, the risk of MetS can be assessed easily, safely, and cost-efficiently. BIA can be used as an easy, useful, and important guide to identify participants with the risk of MetS,” the researchers said.