Thigh and Calf Myosteatosis are Strongly Associated with Muscle and Physical Function in African Caribbean Men

Body mass index-adjusted calf circumference is associated with mortality in hospitalized older patients with excess weight

OBJECTIVES

Given the innovative nature of the method, our study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of body mass index (BMI)-adjusted calf circumference (CC) in older patients who are hospitalized.

METHODS

This was a unique analysis as part of other cohorts comprising general hospitalized patients aged 60 years or older of both sexes. Only patients with excess weight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were included. CC was adjusted by reducing 3, 7, or 12 cm for BMI (in kg/m2) within 25-29.9, 30-39.9, and ≥40 kg/m2, respectively. CC was considered low if ≤ 34 cm for males and ≤ 33 cm for females. Clinical outcomes included prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS) and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 222 patients were included. After BMI adjustments, 72.1% of the patients were reclassified from a normal CC category to a low CC category. The frequency of low CC increased from 33.8% to 81.9% following BMI adjustments. Among those reclassified to the low CC, 11 died, compared to only 2 patients in the group that maintained a normal CC classification. BMI-adjusted CC was inversely associated with mortality (HR adjusted 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.95), but not with prolonged LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel study highlights the prognostic value of BMI-adjusted CC. As an anthropometric marker of muscle mass, it proved to be a predictor of mortality in older patients with high BMI. This adjustment is further important because it may help to better detect low muscle mass in these patients where such conditions might be masked.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Sarcopenia as Comorbid Chronic Diseases in Older Adults: Established and Emerging Treatments and Therapies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia (low skeletal muscle mass and function) share a bidirectional relationship. The prevalence of these diseases increases with age and they share common risk factors. Skeletal muscle fat infiltration, commonly referred to as myosteatosis, may be a major contributor to both T2DM and sarcopenia in older adults via independent effects on insulin resistance and muscle health. Many strategies to manage T2DM result in energy restriction and subsequent weight loss, and this can lead to significant declines in muscle mass in the absence of resistance exercise, which is also a first-line treatment for sarcopenia. In this review, we highlight recent evidence on established treatments and emerging therapies targeting weight loss and muscle mass and function improvements in older adults with, or at risk of, T2DM and/or sarcopenia. This includes dietary, physical activity and exercise interventions, new generation incretin-based agonists and myostatin-based antagonists, and endoscopic bariatric therapies. We also highlight how digital health technologies and health literacy interventions can increase uptake of, and adherence to, established and emerging treatments and therapies in older adults with T2DM and/or sarcopenia.