Strength and Performance Tests for Screening Reduced Muscle Mass in Elderly Lebanese Males with Obesity in Community Dwellings

Abstract

The reduction in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is a common phenomenon in older adults. It is associated with several diseases, a reduction in physical fitness, longer periods of hospitalization and high rates of mortality. We aimed to identify the reliability of simple tools for screening for reduced SMM among older adult males in Lebanon. The Tanita MC-780MA bioimpedance analyzer (BIA) was used to assess body composition in a population of 102 community-dwelling elderly males with overweight or obesity, in order to be then categorized as with or without reduced SMM. Participants also performed the handgrip strength test and the 4 m gait speed test. Of the total sample of 102 participants (mean age 67.4 ± 6.96 years; BMI 30.8 6 ± 4.04 kg/m2), 32 (31.4%) met the criteria for reduced SMM. Partial correlation analysis showed that handgrip strength (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.002) and 4 m gait speed (ρ = 0.284, p = 0.004) were both associated with low SMM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified discriminating cut-off points of 1.1 m/s for the 4 m gait speed test and 32.0 kg for the handgrip strength test. Our study showed that participants displayed a substantial prevalence of reduced SMM. Reduced 4 m gait speed and handgrip strength were associated with low SMM. Clear cut-off points for strength and functional tests for screening for this condition in Lebanese older men were identified.

The value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scoring systems in explaining handgrip strength and functional impairment in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot study

“…HGs has been demonstrated to correlate significantly with measures of hand function in patients with RA [ 61 ], including the DASH and the AIMS [ 62 , 63 ]. Reduced HGs has been recognized as a strong predictor of multi-morbidity, disability, and mortality, and is a major contributor to frailty and sarcopenia in young old (aged ≥ 65) and very old adults (aged ≥ 85) [ 26 , 64 – 67 ].…”

Association between Dietary Practice and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Beirut Arab University (BAU), Lebanon, between March 2018 and February 2020 [ 24 ]. A total of 222 participants were included.…”

“…A multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (BIA) (MC-780MA, Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was used to measure performance in the morning by the same operator (the dietitian involved in this study); segmental and total body composition measurements [ 25 ], according to a standardized protocol [ 24 ], were taken as follows: First, information (i.e., age, sex, and height) of participants was entered into the device [ 26 ]. Next, participants were instructed to stand in a stable, barefoot position.…”

Feature Paper Special Issue for Editorial Board Members (EBMs) of Diseases

“…Finally, an interesting approach was used by Saadeddine and colleagues [ 21 ] to set up protocols and tests for the evaluation of strength and performance, in a screening mode, of skeletal muscle mass reduction, which is a quite common event in older adults during a plethora of diseases and is associated with longer periods of hospitalizations which, in turn, cause increased costs, and of course, increased mortality rates.…”