Weight stability masks sarcopenia in elderly men and women.
Skeletal muscle loss or sarcopenia in aging has been suggested in cross-sectional studies but has not been shown in elderly subjects using appropriate measurement techniques combined with a longitudinal study design. Longitudinal skeletal muscle mass changes after age 60 yr were investigated in independently living, healthy men (n = 24) and women (n = 54; mean age 73 yr) with a mean +/- SD follow-up time of 4.7 +/- 2.3 yr. Measurements included regional skeletal muscle mass, four additional lean components (fat-free body mass, body cell mass, total body water, and bone mineral), and total body fat. Total appendicular skeletal muscle (TSM) mass decreased in men (-0.8 +/- 1.2 kg, P = 0.002), consisting of leg skeletal muscle (LSM) loss (-0.7 +/- 0.8 kg, P = 0.001) and a trend toward loss of arm skeletal muscle (ASM; -0.2 +/- 0.4 kg, P = 0.06). In women, TSM mass decreased (-0.4 +/- 1.2 kg, P = 0.006) and consisted of LSM loss (-0.3 +/- 0.8 kg, P = 0.005) and a tendency for a loss of ASM (-0.1 +/- 0.6 kg, P = 0.20). Multiple regression modeling indicates greater rates of LSM loss in men. Body weight in men at follow-up did not change significantly (-0.5 +/- 3.0 kg, P = 0.44) and fat mass increased (+1.2 +/- 2.4 kg, P = 0.03). Body weight and fat mass in women were nonsignificantly reduced (-0.8 +/- 3.9 kg, P = 0.15 and -0.8 +/- 3.5 kg, P = 0.12). These observations suggest that sarcopenia is a progressive process, particularly in elderly men, and occurs even in healthy independently living older adults who may not manifest weight loss.
Department of Medicine, Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University, New York, New York 10025, USA.
D
D
Gallagher
E
E
Ruts
M
M
Visser
S
S
Heshka
R N
RN
Baumgartner
J
J
Wang
R N
RN
Pierson
F X
FX
Pi-Sunyer
S B
SB
Heymsfield
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
D011188:Potassium