Muscle, Health and Costs: A Glance at their Relationship

D. M. Mijnarends, Y. C. Luiking, R. J. G. Halfens, S. M. A. A. Evers, E. L. A. Lenaerts, S. Verlaan, M. Wallace, J. M. G. A. Schols*, J. M. M. Meijers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

To assess the association between muscle parameters (mass, strength, physical performance) and activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QoL), and health care costs. Cross-sectional Maastricht Sarcopenia Study (MaSS). Community-dwelling, assisted-living, residential living facility. 227 adults aged 65 and older. Muscle mass, hand grip strength and physical performance were assessed by bio-electrical impedance, JAMAR dynamometer and the Short Physical Performance Battery, respectively. Health outcomes were measured by the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (disability in ADL) and the EQ-5D-5L (QoL). Health care costs were calculated based on health care use in the past three months. Muscle strength and physical performance showed a strong correlation with ADL, QoL, and health care costs (P <.01); for muscle mass no significant correlations were observed. Regression analyses showed that higher gait speed (OR 0.06, 95%CI 0.01-0.55) was associated with a lower probability of ADL disability. Furthermore, slower chair stand (OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.08-1.42), and more comorbidities (OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.23-2.02) were explanatory factors for higher ADL disability. Explanatory factors for QoL and costs were: more disability in ADL (OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.12-1.41 for QoL; B = 0.09, P <.01 for costs) and more comorbidities (OR 1.44, 95%CI 1.14-1.82 for QoL; B = 0.35, P <.01 for costs). Lower gait speed and chair stand were potential drivers of disability in ADL. Disability in ADL and comorbidities were associated with QoL and health care costs in community-dwelling older adults. Improving physical performance may be a valuable target for future intervention and research to impact health burden and costs.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)766-773
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Nutrition Health & Aging
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2018

Keywords

  • Muscle
  • activities of daily living
  • quality of life
  • health care costs
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • BIOELECTRICAL-IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS
  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • OLDER-ADULTS
  • PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE
  • INCIDENT DISABILITY
  • SARCOPENIA
  • MASS
  • FRAILTY
  • RISK

Cite this