Prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in women than in men: a cross-sectional study from a rural area in eastern China

Abstract

Background There were limited studies specifically evaluating whether the difference of the prevalence of sarcopenia exists in men and women in older adults from rural areas in China. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia between men and women in a rural area in eastern China and to explore the underlying causes. Methods This study included 1,105 participants aged 60-89 years. Muscle mass was measured by bio-electrical impedance analysis. Hand grip strength was measured by Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia-2019 Consensus. Data were analyzed using log-binomial and linear regression. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 21.7% in women and 12.9% in men among the study cohort. After adjusting for age, education level, number of diseases, income level, smoking, drinking, and eating habits, proportion of people with sarcopenia was 1.49-fold greater in women than in men (PR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.01–2.26], P = 0.055). Conclusions The prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly women in this rural area of eastern China is higher than in men, suggesting that women in rural areas in China seem to be more vulnerable for sarcopenia, thus early screening and prevention need to be provided for them to address such gender disparity in health.

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“…This corresponds to findings from studies by Yuenyongchaiwat et al 38 and Chew et al 66 Another study by Du et al 67 conducted among 631 subjects supported this statement by stating that levels of testosterone and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 levels decreased significantly in older males, which caused rapid loss of muscle mass and strength compared to their female counterparts. However, Wang et al 56 and Samper‐Ternent et al 49 from the current study reported otherwise, stating that the prevalence of sarcopenia among females was higher than in males, and there were also other studies supporting this outcome 68,69 . Older women experience menopause, which causes hormonal changes.…”

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