Declining neck circumference is an anthropometric marker related to frailty in middle-aged and elderly women

Neck Circumference Cut-Off Points for Identifying Adiposity: Association with Chronic Metabolic Diseases in Older People

BACKGROUND

The leading cause of death in older people is cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have found that neck circumference (NC) is a simple anthropometric marker associated with adiposity. The aim of this study is to estimate and validate NC cut-off points as adiposity markers and analyze their association with cardiovascular and chronic metabolic diseases in older people.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in 358 non-disabled, community-dwelling older people (71.7 ± 3.9 years) living in Santiago de Chile and participating in the HTSMayor study was conducted. Measurements of body composition and cardiovascular risks were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of NC with cardiovascular and chronic metabolic diseases. NC cut-off points were obtained to predict obesity, abdominal obesity, and adiposity.

RESULTS

The best performance values of neck circumference relative to obesity and adiposity were obtained with respect to abdominal obesity (40.6 cm in men and 34.2 cm in women). Higher NC values were associated with a higher area under the curve (AUC) for men and women (men: AUC = 0.84; women: AUC = 0.86). NC was significantly associated with a higher risk for diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.95), hypertension (OR = 2.42), acute myocardial infarction (OR = 4.36), and comorbidities (OR = 2.01), and a lower risk for sarcopenia (OR = 0.35).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that NC is a useful tool for detecting abdominal obesity, obesity, and adiposity in older people and that a higher NC increases the risk of chronic diseases.

Neck circumference is a highly reliable anthropometric measure in older adults requiring long-term care

The reliability of neck circumference measurement as an assessment tool for older adults requiring long-term care remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of neck circumference measurement in older adults requiring long-term care, and the effect of edema on measurement error. Two physical therapists measured the neck circumference. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to examine the reliability of neck circumference measurement. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between edema values (extracellular water/total body water) and neck circumference measurement difference. For inter-rater reliability of neck circumference measurement, the overall ICC (2,1) was 0.98. The upper and lower limits of the difference between examiners ranged from -0.9 to 1.2 cm. There was no association between edema values and neck circumference measurement error. Thus, measurement of the neck circumference in older adults requiring long-term care is a reliable assessment tool, with a low error rate, even in older adults with edema.

Association between decreased neck circumference and impaired activities of daily living among older adults in long-term care

AIM

Assessment interventions for the decline of activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults are crucial, as ADL decline increases hospitalization duration and mortality risk. Decreased neck circumference may result in various physical dysfunctions, including malnutrition. However, the association between neck circumference and ADLs has not been fully clarified. This study aimed to determine the association between decreased neck circumference and ADLs in older adults requiring long-term care.

METHODS

The study included 152 older adults deemed to require support or care under Japan's long-term care insurance system. Neck circumference was measured just below the thyroid cartilage with a measuring tape. The Barthel index was used to evaluate ADLs, and skeletal muscle mass and nutritional status were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis instruments. A multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate the association between neck circumference and ADLs.

RESULTS

Neck circumference demonstrated a significant inverse correlation with age and a significant positive correlation with body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index, phase angle, and Barthel index. In the multivariate analysis, ADLs was significantly associated with neck circumference (odds ratio [OR] = 0.51, P = 0.002) and phase angle (OR = 0.04, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neck circumference is associated with age, skeletal muscle mass, and nutritional status. Furthermore, a decrease in neck circumference is suggested as an independent risk factor for ADL decline in older adults requiring long-term care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 906-911.

Neck circumference may predict sarcopenia in Japanese older adults requiring long-term care

Several studies have established the advantage of using anthropometric measurements as indicators of sarcopenia. Nevertheless, no study has explored the association between sarcopenia and neck circumference. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the data of 90 older adults requiring long-term care to evaluate this association and establish cut-off points for individuals at risk of sarcopenia as defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019. A significant association was found between sarcopenia and neck circumference using binomial logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses. The optimal cut-off value for neck circumference associated with increased risk for sarcopenia among older adults was 32.8 cm for females and 38.0 cm for males. Given the potential of declining neck circumference as an anthropometric marker of sarcopenia, it has clinical applications in screening for sarcopenia in older adults requiring long-term care.

Clinical usefulness of neck circumference for predicting sarcopenia in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

Neck circumference (NC), per se, includes muscle mass beyond simple fat mass and mainly subcutaneous fat. We aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness of NC for predicting muscle mass, strength, or sarcopenia in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients undergoing PD (n = 199). NC, body compositions, and handgrip strength (HGS) were measured in all patients. Appendicular lean mass (ALM) was evaluated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at the time of dry abdomen. Sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome were diagnosed using the definitions from previous guidelines. We analyzed the data divided by sex.

RESULTS

In male patients, the discrimination performance of BMI or NC for sarcopenia was similar, but BMI was more closely associated with the prediction of metabolic syndrome than NC. Linear and logistic regression analyses showed that, in males, BMI was associated with the ALM index and metabolic syndrome, but NC was associated with sarcopenia and HGS. In addition, the addition of NC in the multivariate model was associated with better predictability of sarcopenia in men. In female patients, the discrimination performance of BMI or NC for sarcopenia or metabolic syndrome was similar.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that NC is associated with HGS and sarcopenia in male patients undergoing PD. NC may be a useful option for screening for sarcopenia beyond simple BMI and may be helpful in identifying whether further evaluation for a diagnosis of sarcopenia is required.

Impact of Neck and Shoulder Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life in a Middle-Aged Community-Living Population

Purpose

Neck and shoulder pain (NSP) is very common in the general population. However, scarce information exists on the relationship between NSP and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in this population. The present study described NSP prevalence and its impact on the HRQOL of middle-aged and older persons undergoing a routine medical checkup.

Methods

This study recruited 318 subjects (125 males and 193 females; average age, 63.4 years) in good health, collected underwent anthropometric measurements, physical function examinations, and blood testing. This study defined NSP as the presence of muscle tension, stiffness, pressure, or dull pain in areas between the neck and the arch of the scapular. Study subjects were divided into two groups (NSP (+) and NSP (-) groups). The subjects completed questions on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and the EuroQol 5-dimension, 5-level version (EQ-5D-5L) tool.

Results

Of the patients, 150 and 168 were NSP (+) and NSP (-), respectively. The NSP complaint rate was 47.2%. The NSP (+) group had younger and more female participants than the NSP (-) group. In the multivariate regression analysis, the NSP (+) group had lower physical QOL based on the SF-36 physical component summary (odds ratio (OR), 2.45) and lower mental QOL based on the SF-36 mental component summary (OR, 2.05). Overall, the NSP (+) group had a higher risk of having low QOL scores (EQ-5D-5L index; OR, 1.76).

Conclusions

The NSP (+) rate in healthy middle-aged and older persons was 47.2%. Furthermore, NSP (+) status was directly related poor HRQOL. NSP is a predictor of suboptimal physical and mental QOL. Therefore, NSP prevention or intervention for NSP may improve middle-aged and older adults' QOL.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Manual Measurements of Neck Circumference Are Interchangeable, and Declining Neck Circumference Is Related to Presarcopenia

Purpose

Preventive medicine is important in an aging society. Presarcopenia is the preliminary stage of sarcopenia. Recent advances in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices have enabled automatic estimation of neck circumference (NC). However, the agreement between and interchangeability of NC measured manually and that calculated with BIA have not been evaluated. We performed these analyses in the context of health checkups and investigated their associations with presarcopenia.

Methods

We enrolled 318 participants who underwent anthropometric measurements, including NC measured manually and by BIA; assessment of physical function; and blood testing. We used Bland-Altman analysis to calculate the agreement between and interchangeability of NC measurements by BIA and by the manual method. We then statistically compared normal participants and those with presarcopenia. Using multivariable analysis, we subsequently investigated significant risk factors for presarcopenia. We defined presarcopenia according to the appendicular skeletal muscle index (aSMI; the ratio of arm and leg skeletal muscle mass to height²).

Results

Bland-Altman analysis showed that bias (BIA-manual) was negative overall (−1.07), for male participants (−1.23), and for female participants (−0.96). This finding suggests that BIA measurement is an underestimate in comparison with manual measurement. NC measurement by BIA was found to be interchangeable with that by manual methods, inasmuch as the percentage error was less than 5% overall (4.38%), for male participants (3.81%), and for female participants (4.58%). Univariable analysis revealed that NC was significantly smaller in the participants with presarcopenia than in those without. Multivariable analysis, adjusted for confounding factors, revealed that a decrease in NC was significantly correlated with presarcopenia.

Conclusions

BIA measurements of NC are interchangeable within about 95% with manual measurements. The decrease in NC measured by BIA was significantly associated with presarcopenia in both genders. NC measurement can be used for early detection of presarcopenia.

Relationship between tongue pressure and back muscle strength in healthy elderly individuals

BACKGROUND

Aging is associated with a decrease in muscle mass and strength in swallowing muscles, as well as in whole-body muscles. A decrease in tongue pressure (TP) is related with whole-body function, and the trunk, including abdominal and back muscles, forms the core of the body. However, the direct relationship between TP and trunk muscle strength remains unclear.

AIMS

To clarify the association between back muscle strength, an indicator of trunk muscle strength, and TP in healthy elderly individuals.

METHODS

In all, 112 healthy community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 60 years (men: 35, median age 74.0; women: 77, median age 69.0) were included. Body mass index (BMI), TP, and back muscle strength (BMS) were measured. Tooth loss pattern was evaluated by the Eichner classification. Participants were divided into two groups based on the median of the BMS and classified into three groups based on the Eichner index (Eichner A, B, and C). The effects of BMS and occlusal support on TP were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the low BMS group, there was a significant difference in TP between the Eichner B and Eichner C (p = 0.017) groups. However, in the high BMS group, occlusal support did not affect TP. Moreover, the explanatory factors for TP were BMS (β = 0.373, p = 0.001) and the Eichner index (β = 0.190, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

TP was correlated more with BMS than aging and occlusal support in healthy elderly individuals. This study indicated that the clinical evaluation of the whole body is important when assessing oral and swallowing function.

Locomotive syndrome and the power spectral characteristics of body sway

AIM

In Japan, nursing care is advised for patients with locomotive syndrome (LS) because of musculoskeletal disorders. Balance tests have indicated an association between LS risk and sway size related to center of pressure (COP) movement. Here, the power spectrum represents the energy contained in each frequency of COP sway. Although balance tests are often performed during health checkups, no studies have investigated the relationship between the power spectrum and LS. This study investigated this relationship.

METHODS

In total, 605 recipients of health checkups were evaluated for LS using the 25-item Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. Power spectrums were calculated by applying fast Fourier transform to COP sway time-series data. These were classified into three sections (0.02-0.2 Hz [low-frequency band; LFB], 0.2-2 Hz [mid-frequency band], and 2-10 Hz [high-frequency band; HFB]). Power spectrums were evaluated in left-right and front-back directions.

RESULTS

LS was associated with significantly lower ratios for both the HFB (P = 0.001) in the left-right direction and LFB (P = 0.007) in the front-back direction. In addition, men had significantly lower HFB ratios in the left-right direction (P = 0.032) and LFB ratios in the front-back (P = 0.013), whereas women had significantly lower HFB ratios in the left-right direction (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

LS was associated with significantly lower ratios for both the HFB in the left-right direction and LFB in the front-back direction. This understanding of the power spectral characteristics of LS may be useful in the context of pathology and therapeutic intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int ••; ••: ••-•• Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••-••.

Higher extracellular water-to-total body water ratio more strongly reflects the locomotive syndrome risk and frailty than sarcopenia

OBJECTIVE

Among body composition parameters measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, the extracellular water-to-total body water (ECW/TBW) ratio is a known prognostic or related factor for various diseases. While concepts such as locomotive syndrome risk, frailty, and sarcopenia are gaining popularity in Japan, their relationship with the ECW/TBW ratio has not been examined in detail. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between them.

METHODS

Of 1081 individuals who underwent health checkups, 550 were included in this study. The evaluations included a two-step test, stand-up test, and a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale questionnaire. Frailty was diagnosed based on the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. Sarcopenia was evaluated according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. The aforementioned ratio was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS

The ECW/TBW ratio significantly increased with locomotive syndrome risk, frailty, and sarcopenia (p < 0.001 each). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between robust and pre-frailty groups (p = 0.71) and normal and pre-sarcopenia groups (p = 0.93). Furthermore, after correcting for age, sex, and body mass index, multiple regression analysis revealed that locomotive syndrome risk (p < 0.001) and frailty (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with an increase in the ECW/TBW ratio, whereas sarcopenia was not (p = 0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in the ECW/TBW ratio may reflect locomotive syndrome risk and frailty, but not sarcopenia. In bioelectric impedance analysis, this ratio is an important indicator; if it is high, it is necessary to consider locomotive syndrome risk and frailty.

Waist Circumference Measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Is Interchangeable with Manual Measurement: Increased Waist Circumference Is Associated with Locomotive Syndrome Risk

Objectives

The importance of preventive medicine in an aging society is increasing. Locomotive syndrome (LS) is attracting increasing attention. Recently, advances in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices have made it possible to automatically measure waist circumference (WC). Nevertheless, there have been no reports evaluating the agreement or interchangeability between WC measured manually and using BIA. Therefore, we aimed to perform these analyses in the context of health checkups and investigated the associations with LS risk.

Methods

We enrolled 597 participants who underwent the following: two-step tests and stand-up tests; evaluations using a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale for the LS risk test; anthropometric marker measurements including WC measured by manual and BIA; and measurements of total cholesterol and triglycerides. We used Bland–Altman analysis to calculate agreement and interchangeability of the WC measurement using BIA and the manual method. A statistical comparative study was then conducted between normal and LS risk groups. Subsequently, significant risk factors for LS were investigated using multivariate analysis.

Results

The Bland–Altman analysis showed that bias (BIA-manual) was negative overall (−2.024), for males (−1.418) and for females (−2.460), suggesting underestimation using BIA compared with manual measurements. Interchangeability was found between WC measurement by BIA and by manual methods, because the percentage error was less than 15% overall (12.3%), for males (10.2%) and for females (13.8%). Univariate analysis showed that WC was significantly higher in the LS risk group than in the normal group. Multivariate analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that increase in WC significantly correlated with LS risk.

Conclusions

BIA and manual methods for measuring WC are interchangeable. The increase in WC measured by BIA was significantly associated with LS risk. It is important to continue focusing on increased WC and early detection of LS risk.