Sex Differences of Sarcopenia in an Elderly Asian Population: The Prevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract

The loss of muscle mass is widespread in age-related health phenomena in the elderly population. This study examined the prevalence of sarcopenia in a community-dwelling elderly population according to gender. The study also identified gender-specific risk factors in older people aged 75–84 years old. One thousand two hundred and ninety-three participants aged between 75 and 84 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in Korea were investigated. The prevalence of sarcopenia in males and females in the weighted-value sample was 41.2% (95%CI: 35.8–46.8) and 37.2% (32.7–41.9), respectively. Gender-specific clinical risk factors in males were height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, fasting glucose, and triglyceride levels. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, and total cholesterols were clinical risk factors for females. These outcomes would be crucial to primary care clinicians and health care professionals when patients require a referral for early detection and treatment. Health care professionals and clinicians can quickly identify potential sarcopenic patients by acknowledging the gender-specific prevalence and risk factors.

Association of possible sarcopenia with major chronic diseases and multimorbidity among middle‐aged and older adults: Findings from a national cross‐sectional study in China

“…In the present study, we discovered that PSA group participants were more likely to be women than their non‐PSA counterparts. The result is consistent with previous research emphasizing sex differences in sarcopenia, and showing that women were more frequently influenced by sarcopenia than men 26–28 . We noted that the majority of PSA group members had shorter sleep duration and lower bodyweight.…”

“…The result is consistent with previous research emphasizing sex differences in sarcopenia, and showing that women were more frequently influenced by sarcopenia than men. [26][27][28] We noted that the majority of PSA group members had shorter sleep duration and lower bodyweight. The present results are in line with that of a prospective study.…”

Prevalence of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms among older adults: a scoping review

“…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.…”

“…At the same time, women also experience a higher rate of diminishing sex hormones like oestrogens and androgens than men. 69,70 The gender differences in sarcopenic prevalence were also demonstrated in a systematic review and meta-analysis of 109 studies involving community-dwelling older adults across several different sarcopenia categories. The consensus reported that gender has a greater role in sarcopenia, and the used to diagnose sarcopenia and the regions subjects are from have a great influence.…”

“…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. Oestradiol can promote muscle regeneration, but ageing causes a decline in oestradiol levels, while simultaneously increasing visceral adiposity and decreasing bone density, muscle mass and strength.…”