Lower heart rate variability is associated with loss of muscle mass and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Chinese adults

Kai Zheng; Zhongkai Wang; Peipei Han; Cheng Chen; Chuanjun Huang; Yahui Wu; Yue Wang; Jiangling Guo; Qiongying Tao; Jiayi Zhai; Suyan Zhao; Jiayao Zhang; Nijia Shen; Qi Guo

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (May 2024)

Lower heart rate variability is associated with loss of muscle mass and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Chinese adults

Kai Zheng,
Zhongkai Wang,
Peipei Han,
Cheng Chen,
Chuanjun Huang,
Yahui Wu,
Yue Wang,
Jiangling Guo,
Qiongying Tao,
Jiayi Zhai,
Suyan Zhao,
Jiayao Zhang,
Nijia Shen,
Qi Guo

Affiliations

Kai Zheng: School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Zhongkai Wang: Department of Pain and Rehabilitation, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Peipei Han: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Cheng Chen: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China; School of Health, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, Fuzhou, China
Chuanjun Huang: School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Yahui Wu: School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Yue Wang: School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Jiangling Guo: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China; Graduate School of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Qiongying Tao: Jiading Subdistrict Community Health Center, Shanghai, China
Jiayi Zhai: Jiading Subdistrict Community Health Center, Shanghai, China
Suyan Zhao: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Jiayao Zhang: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Nijia Shen: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
Qi Guo: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author. College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Highway, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201318, China. Fax: +86 22 8333 6977.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 123, no. 5
pp. 571 – 577

Abstract

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Background/Purpose: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders may occur in skeletal muscle disease, but the link between them has not been fully established. Studying the relationship between them may yield insights into the mechanisms and treatment of disease. This study aimed to explore the association between heart rate variability (HRV), sarcopenia, and subscales of sarcopenia (muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical mobility). Methods: 2514 community-dwelling older Chinese participants were included in this study. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia guidelines were used to define sarcopenia. HRV was measured by 90-s electrocardiogram RR interval data. All HRV parameters were transformed using natural logarithms. Multiple regression analysis and multivariate linear regression was performed using potential correlates. Results: The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 15.1 % (18.5 % in males and 12.6 % in females). In the logistic regression analysis model, there was a significant association between log-transformed standard deviation of RR interval (lnSDNN) (OR = 0.736, p = 0.019), log-transformed coefficient of variation of RR intervals (lnCVRR) (OR = 0.751, p = 0.020), log-transformed low-frequency power (lnLF) (OR = 0.861, p = 0.008), log-transformed high-frequency power (lnHF) (OR = 0.864, p = 0.003) and sarcopenia in the general population after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), daily activity levels, hypertension, heart disease and cardiac drugs. In addition, in multivariate linear regression, lnSDNN (β = 0.146, p = 0.001), lnCVRR (β = 0.120, p = 0.010), lnLF (β = 0.066, p = 0.002) and lnHF (β = 0.065, p < 0.001) remained significantly positively associated with muscle mass, but there were no significant differences in grip strength and walking speed. Conclusion: Sarcopenia was independently associated with lower heart rate variability in a community-dwelling elderly Chinese population. In addition, muscle mass was positively associated with heart rate variability in the elderly.

Published in Journal of the Formosan Medical Association

ISSN: 0929-6646 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-the-formosan-medical-association/

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