Cross-Sectional Study on the Association Between Pulmonary Function and Sarcopenia in Brazilian Community-Dwelling Elderly from the Amazon Region

Objectives To compare the obtained and expected values of pulmonary function variables between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic elderly; verify the association between the pulmonary function and the indicators and diagnosis of sarcopenia; and establish cut-off points for pulmonary function variables to predict sarcopenia. Design Cross-sectional study. Location Macapa, Brazil. Participants community-dwelling elderly >= 60 years old (n=383), both sexes. Measures Were evaluated according to variables of pulmonary function (spirometry) and sarcopenia, according to the EWGSOP consensus. The association between pulmonary function and sarcopenia was performed using logistic regression and cut-off points established from the ROC Curve. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 12.53% (n = 48). Sarcopenic individuals had significantly lower mean values for FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75% and PEF than non-sarcopenic. After adjustment, spirometric variables were inversely associated with sarcopenia (the increase by one unit of liter in FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75% decreased the probability of sarcopenia by 59%, 67% and 39%, respectively), and the majority of these variables with the muscular strength indicator. Cut-off points, for elderly men and women, were discriminant criteria for the presence of sarcopenia: FVC (<= 2.52 L and <= 1.82 L), FEV1 (<= 2.1 L and <= 1.39 L), PEF (<= 3.45 L/s and <= 2.93 L/s) and FEF5-75% (<= 1.97 L/s and <= 1.74 L/s). Conclusions There was loss of pulmonary function in sarcopenic elderly patients and an inverse association with the diagnosis of sarcopenia and its indicators. Cut-off points of pulmonary function variables can be used as a useful tool to discriminate sarcopenia.