Association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and sarcopenia based on NHANES

Abstract

Abstract The ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or NHHR, has garnered increased attention because of its connection to metabolic diseases. It is yet unknown, nevertheless, how NHHR and sarcopenia relate to one another in the US population. Examining the relationship between NHHR and the prevalence of sarcopenia in the US population is the main goal of this study. Utilizing information gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018, a study was conducted to look at the connection between NHHR and sarcopenia in the US population. The individuals’ baseline features were categorized based on whether or not sarcopenia was present. We used subgroup analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and weighted logistic regression to examine the connection between NHHR and sarcopenia prevalence. Sensitivity analysis was used to confirm that the study’s findings were reliable and consistent. R (version 4.2.3) was used for all analyses, and P < 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. There were 10,087 individuals in all, 9,187 of whom were not sarcopenic and 900 of whom were. Sarcopenic patients were generally older, predominantly of Mexican American descent, and had lower educational levels. These patients were generally less active and exhibited higher levels of total cholesterol and BMI, along with lower HDL levels. Following complete adjustment, the weighted logistic regression model indicated that a 7% increased risk of sarcopenia was linked to every unit rise in NHHR (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02–1.13). An inflection point was identified at 2.90 by RCS analysis, which revealed a nonlinear association between NHHR and the prevalence of sarcopenia. Subgroup analysis showed that, regardless of the demographic group, there was a continuous positive correlation between NHHR and the prevalence of sarcopenia. The results of the interaction test provided evidence in favor of NHHR functioning as a stand-alone risk factor for sarcopenia. Our research suggests that a higher prevalence of sarcopenia may be linked to an increase in NHHR. Consequently, NHHR may function as a separate risk factor for sarcopenia.

Keywords

• NHHR
• Sarcopenia
• NHANES
• Cross-sectional study