Sarcopenia Is Associated with High Pulse Pressure in Older Women.
Introduction. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome associated with impairment of muscle function, metabolism, and cognition in older women. Recent studies have shown a relationship between changes in muscle mass and the cardiovascular system. However, this relationship has not been fully elucidated. Methods. One hundred and thirty community-dwelling Brazilian older women (65.4 ± 6.3 years) were recruited to participate in this study. Data on body composition (via bioelectrical impedance measurements), cardiovascular parameters (using an automatic and noninvasive monitor), and muscle function (using a 3-meter gait speed test) were measured. Results. Sarcopenic older women (n = 43) presented higher levels of pulse pressure (PP) (60.3 ± 2.6 mmHg) and lower muscle function (0.5 ± 0.0 m/s) compared with nonsarcopenic subjects (n = 87) (53.7 ± 1.5 mmHg; 0.9 ± 0.0 m/s) (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significantly negative association between skeletal muscle index (SMI) and PP levels (β = -226, P < 0.05). Furthermore, sarcopenic older women showed a 3.1-fold increased risk of having higher PP levels compared with nonsarcopenic women (IC = 1.323-7.506) (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Sarcopenic older women showed lower muscle function and higher cardiovascular risk due to increased PP levels compared with nonsarcopenic subjects.
School of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, 130883851 Campinas, Brazil ; Center of Health Sciences, University of Mogi das Cruzes, 08770-490 Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
Hélio José
HJ
Coelho Júnior
Center of Health Sciences, University of Mogi das Cruzes, 08770-490 Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil ; Graduate Program on Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, 71966-700 Brasilia, Brazil.
Samuel da Silva
Sda S
Aguiar
Community Center for Older People of Poá, Poá, Brazil.
Ivan de Oliveira
Ide O
Gonçalves
School of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, 130883851 Campinas, Brazil.
Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho
RA
Sampaio
School of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, 130883851 Campinas, Brazil.
Marco Carlos
MC
Uchida
Graduate Program on Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia, 71966-700 Brasilia, Brazil.
Milton Rocha
MR
Moraes
Center of Health Sciences, University of Mogi das Cruzes, 08770-490 Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil ; School of Sciences and Letters of Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil.
Ricardo Yukio
RY
Asano