Prevalence & correlates of dynapenia in elderly with low skeletal muscle mass: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background & objectives Dynapenia, an age-related decline in muscle strength independent of muscle mass loss, is increasingly recognised as a predictor of functional decline and adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of dynapenia among older adults with low skeletal muscle mass. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 128 participants aged ≥ 60 yr with low muscle mass determined using the EWGSOP-2 criteria. Assessments included handgrip strength using a Jamar dynamometer, a 4-meter gait speed test, the geriatric depression scale, and the clinical frailty scale. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationships between muscle strength parameters, gait speed, frailty scores, and depression scores, followed by multivariate logistic regression. Results Among individuals with low muscle mass, 66 (51.6%) had dynapenia [29 (43.9%) in females; 37 (56.06%) in males]. Handgrip strength strongly and positively correlated with knee extension strength [coefficient correlation (r) = 0.822, P<0.001] and moderately correlated with gait speed (r=0.414, P<0.001). Both strength parameters were inversely correlated with frailty scores (r=-0.367 and r=-0.316, respectively; P<0.001). Multivariable analysis identified female gender [Odds ratio (OR)=7.655, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.616-36.264, P=0.010], lower socioeconomic status (P<0.001), and gait speed <0.8 m/s (OR=22.664, 95% CI: 2.952-174.010, P=0.003) as predictors of dynapenia. Depression was more prevalent in dynapenia patients [25.8% (n=17) vs. 3.2% (n=2), P<0.001]. Interpretations & conclusions The prevalence of dynapenia was 51.6 per cent among elderly with low muscle mass, with female sex, lower socioeconomic status, and reduced gait speed as significant correlates. Routine strength assessment is warranted in elderly with low muscle mass.