Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Sarcopenia in Older Adult Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Cross-sectional and Follow-up Study

Background: The relationship between sarcopenia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been increasingly reported, and there is some overlap regarding their clinical features and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) strategies. No Korean study has reported the actual prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with stable COPD who are recommended for pulmonary rehabilitation. This study evaluated the prevalence and clinical features of sarcopenia in older adult outpatients with stable COPD and the changes after 6 months.

Methods: In this cross-sectional and 6-month follow-up study, we recruited 63 males aged ≥ 65 diagnosed with stable COPD. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the AWGS 2019 criteria, which included hand grip strength testing, bioelectrical impedance analysis, Short Physical Performance Battery administration, and Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falling screening tool administration. A 6-minute walk test (6 MWT) was conducted, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV), maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were assessed, and patient-reported questionnaires were administered.

Results: At baseline, 14 (22%) patients were diagnosed with possible sarcopenia, and eight (12.6%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. There were significant differences in the age; body mass index; Body mass index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise index; modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scores; and International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores between the normal and sarcopenia groups. Whole-body phase angle, MIP, MEP, PEF, and 6-minute walk distance (6 MWD) also showed significant differences. Over 6 months, the proportion of patients with a reduced FEV increased; however, the proportion of patients with sarcopenia did not increase.

Conclusion: A relatively low prevalence of sarcopenia was observed in older adult outpatients with stable COPD. No significant change in the prevalence of sarcopenia was found during the 6-month follow-up period.

Trial Registration: The study was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0006720). Registration date: 30/07/2021.