Sarcopenic obesity using the ESPEN and EASO consensus statement criteria of 2022 – Results from the German KORA-Age study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe recent consensus statement of ESPEN and EASO recommends reviewing existing datasets to assess the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity based on the new definition and diagnostic criteria. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in a population-based study and to assess the association of this new definition with clinical traits. MethodsThe KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age baseline examination (2008/2009) comprised 1079 participants aged 65 years and older from southern Germany. Sarcopenic obesity was defined in 998 participants (mean age 75.6 years, 498 women) with complete data according to the 2022 ESPEN and EASO algorithm, which includes reduced handgrip strength, reduced skeletal muscle mass per weight, and elevated fat mass. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Associations between sarcopenic obesity and physical activity, disability, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy were assessed using logistic regression analysis. ResultsThe overall prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 4.5 % (5.0 % in men, 4.0 % in women). Sarcopenic obesity was associated with disability (2.87 [CI 1.84–4.48]), multimorbidity (≥ 2 comorbidities; 2.59 [CI 1.23–5.46]), polypharmacy (≥ 5 drugs; 1.96 [CI 1.05–3.63]), cognitive impairment (3.03 [CI 1.51–6.06]) and arthritis (2.66 [CI 1.39–5.07]) after adjusting for age, sex and marital status. ConclusionSarcopenic obesity is prevalent in the older German population and is associated with several clinical traits. Future longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate whether the observed associations could be causal.