Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with arterial stiffness in community-dwelling Chinese aged 45 years and older

• Main Authors: Mingzhe Yang, Xuguang Zhang, Zhenkai Ding, Feijie Wang, Yufang Wang, Changya Jiao, Jie-Hua Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-02-01
• Series: BMC Public Health
• Subjects: Skeletal muscle mass; Body composition; Pulse wave velocity; Arterial stiffness
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8323-7

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that body composition has impact on arterial stiffness. However, evidence in Chinese are limited, and results remain controversial. The aim of our study is to investigate whether skeletal muscle mass is associated with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-dwelling men and women aged 45 years and older. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 20,477 participants (age range: 45–80 years, 68.8% women) were included in the analysis. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness was measured using a waveform device. Total muscle mass and muscle mass of arm, leg and trunk were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Height and weight were measured and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was calculated as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (sum of arm and leg muscle mass) divided by height square. Results After adjustment for age, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, ASMI was negatively associated with baPWV [β (SE) for men: − 0.208 (0.016), p < 0.0001; for women: − 0.245 (0.012), p < 0.0001]. High ASMI was a protective factor for the presence of arterial stiffness (defined as baPWV) [OR (95%CI) for men: 0.730 (0.682, 0.782), p < 0.0001; women: 0.634 (0.593, 0.677), p < 0.0001]. Similar associations were found between quantity of muscle mass (total and appendicular muscle mass, muscle mass of arm, leg and trunk) and arterial stiffness in men and women after further adjustment for height (all p < 0.0001). Conclusion Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased risk of arterial stiffness in Chinese community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older.