Association of Low Lean Mass with Frailty and Physical Performance: A Comparison between Two Operational Definitions of Sarcopenia-Data from the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II)

Abstract

Background. For prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, defined as a decline in lean mass, reliable diagnostic criteria and cutpoints reflecting a clinically relevant threshold are indispensable. As of yet, various parameters have been proposed but no gold standard exists. The aim of this study was to compare cutpoints of appendicular lean mass related to body mass index (ALMBMI) or height (ALM/height2) regarding their association with self-reported physical limitations and frailty status in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. Methods. A total of 1,343 participants from the Berlin Aging Study II were included. ALM index was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Limitations in physical performance were assessed via questionnaire and frailty status was defined according to the Fried criteria. Results. In a risk factor-adjusted analysis, participants with an ALMBMI below the cutpoints had 1.4-2.8 times higher odds of difficulties in several domains of physical activity (p = .031 to p