title: Sarcopenia and physical independence in older adults: the independent and synergic role of muscle mass and muscle function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The loss of skeletal muscle mass (MM) or muscle function (MF) alone increases the risk for losing physical independence in older adults. We aimed to examine the independent and synergic associations of low MM and low MF, both criteria of sarcopenia, with the risk for losing projected physical independence in later life (+90 years old).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analyses were conducted in 3493 non-institutionalized older adults (1166 males). Physical independence was assessed with a 12-item composite physical function scale. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds-ratio (OR) for being at risk for losing physical independence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 30% of the participants were at risk for losing physical independence at 90 years of age. Independent analysis demonstrated that participants with low MM had 1.65 (95%CI: 1.27-2.31) increased odds for being at risk for losing physical independence and participants with low MF had 6.19 (95%CI 5.08-7.53) increased odds for being at risk. Jointly, having a low MM and a low MF increased the risk for losing physical independence to 12.28 (95%CI 7.95 to 18.96).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although low MM represents a risk factor for losing physical independence, low MF seems to play a more dominant role in this relationship, with the presence of both sarcopenia criteria representing a substantial risk for losing physical independence in later life.
authors.affiliation: Study and Research Group in Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise GEPEMENE, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Study and Research Group in Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise GEPEMENE, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edilson S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cyrino
authors.affiliation: Study and Research Group in Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise GEPEMENE, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Diana A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Sardinha
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: dynapenia; elderly; physical independence; sarcopenia