Abstract
Background: Although sarcopenia, defined as agerelated loss of muscle, is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) via pleiotropy, few reports have described the relationship between sarcopenia and COPD.
Aim: We aimed to determine whether lung function and muscle strength differed significantly based on the coexistence of sarcopenia.
Methods: A total of thirtynine outpatients with stable COPD (mean age, 68.3 ± 11.2 years; male:female = 34:5) were included. Using the International European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, participants were divided into three groups: non-sarcopenia (n = 16), pre-sarcopenia (n = 9), and sarcopenia (n = 14). Body composition, body mass index (BMI), exercise capacity, lung function, muscle mass, and muscle strength measurements were also obtained. Muscle strength was evaluated using a hydraulic pinchmeter and a hand dynamometer.
Results: Forced expiratory volume at one minute (FEV1) was considerably lower among patients in the sarcopenia group compared to those in the non-sarcopenia group (1.4 ± 0.5 L vs. 2.1 ± 0.9 L, p < 0.05). Unlike patients with BMI greater than 21.5%, the majority of patients with BMI less than 21.5% had sarcopenia (7.6% vs. 85.7%). Pinch strength and strength of hands were significantly weaker among patients with sarcopenia than in those without sarcopenia (pinch strength: 4.6 ± 2.3 kg vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 kg, p < 0.05; strength of dominant hand: 20.7 ± 10.4 kg vs. 37.3 ± 7.5 kg, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Sarcopenia may be associated with loss of both lung function and skeletal muscle strength among patients with COPD.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015
