AJM OnlineClinical research studyInflammatory Markers and Loss of Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia) and Strength
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Study Sample
Data for this study were collected in the LASA study, an ongoing interdisciplinary cohort study on predictors and consequences of changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning in older persons.19 The sampling and data-collection procedures and nonresponse have been described elsewhere in detail.20 In summary, a random sample of men and women, aged 55 years and more, stratified by age, sex, urbanization, and expected 5-year mortality, was drawn from the population registers
Results
The sample consisted of 986 men and women (mean age 74.6 years [SD 6.2]; 52.7% were female) of the LASA study. The mean 3-year change in muscle strength was −12.9% (SD 25.0). Among the 986 participants with complete follow-up data, 134 participants experienced a loss of muscle strength greater than 40%, representing the lowest 15% of the study sample. The mean 3-year change in muscle mass (n = 328) was +1.9% (SD 5.4%), and 51 participants experienced sarcopenia based on a loss of muscle mass
Discussion
The results of this study suggest that higher concentrations of serum IL-6 and CRP are associated with loss of muscle strength in older persons. A novel finding is that higher levels of ACT decrease the loss of muscle strength and tended to decrease sarcopenia. The associations were present after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, chronic diseases, and lifestyle factors, including physical activity, and were consistent for men and women.
This study was performed in a longitudinal setting,
Conclusion
The results of this prospective, population-based study show that high levels of IL-6 and CRP increase the risk of muscle strength loss in older persons. High levels of ACT, on the other hand, reduce this risk. These observations suggest an inflammatory-related component involved in the age-related loss of muscle strength.Table 3
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Els Lommerse and Jan Poppelaars for help in collecting and processing the data and our colleagues from Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, for the determination of the inflammatory markers.
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The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam is financially supported by the Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sports.