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Longitudinal Association between Uric Acid and Incident Sarcopenia
Shengliang Zhou1, Limin Wu1, Haibo Si1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Nutrients
|July 29, 2023
Summary
Higher uric acid (UA) levels are linked to a reduced risk of developing sarcopenia in older Chinese men, but not in women. This study explored the relationship between UA and new-onset sarcopenia in adults over 45.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Metabolic Health
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Sarcopenia is a growing public health issue in aging populations.
- Uric acid (UA), an antioxidant metabolite, has shown associations with sarcopenia, but causal links are unclear.
- Investigating the longitudinal relationship between UA and incident sarcopenia is crucial for understanding its role in aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal association between uric acid levels and the incidence of sarcopenia.
- To explore potential sex differences in the relationship between UA and sarcopenia.
- To provide insights into the metabolic factors influencing age-related muscle loss.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 5086 participants aged ≥45 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
- Analyzed uric acid (UA) levels categorized into sex-specific quartiles and as a continuous variable (per 1 mg/dL).
- Employed Cox proportional hazards regression models to assess the longitudinal association between UA and incident sarcopenia over a 4-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Identified 552 cases (10.85%) of incident sarcopenia during follow-up.
- In males, higher UA levels (Q3 and Q4) were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident sarcopenia (HRs 0.72 and 0.57, respectively).
- This inverse association in males persisted when UA was analyzed continuously (HR 0.87), with no significant association found in females.
Conclusions:
- Uric acid demonstrates a negative association with incident sarcopenia in middle-aged and older Chinese males.
- The study did not find a significant association between uric acid levels and incident sarcopenia in females.
- These findings suggest a potential protective role of UA against sarcopenia in aging males.
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