Longitudinal Association Between the Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness and Sarcopenia in an Older Japanese Population: The SONIC Study

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Abstract
Aim: Sarcopenia increases the risk of long‐term care, disease development, and mortality in older adults. It is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and vice versa. Using cross‐sectional and longitudinal cohort study designs, we investigated the association between the carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and sarcopenia in older adults. Methods: Data were extracted from the Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, Nonagenarians Investigation with Centenarians (SONIC) study. Using data from Wave 3 of the SONIC participants, we examined the association between CIMT and sarcopenia using cross‐sectional analysis and the association between CIMT at baseline and sarcopenia status 3 years later (Wave 4) in a longitudinal study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 guidelines. Results: The cross‐sectional study included 735 participants (347 males, mean age: 76.0 ± 0.9 years); the longitudinal study included 498 participants (247 males, mean age: 75.9 ± 0.9 years). In the cross‐sectional study, 130 (17.7%) participants had sarcopenia; multiple logistic regression analysis revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–2.07) for sarcopenia for every 1 mm increase in the maximum CIMT. In the longitudinal study, 100 participants (20.1%) had sarcopenia at Wave 4. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed an OR of 1.63 for sarcopenia (95% CI: 1.13–2.36) for each 1 mm increase from the baseline maximum CIMT. Conclusion: CIMT was associated with sarcopenia. These results help clarify the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and the possible use of the CIMT as a marker to identify individuals at high risk of sarcopenia.
Funding Information
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP20K07803)

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