Association between calf circumference, its change, and health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults from southern Brazil

Abstract

Calf circumference (CC) is considered a simple proxy for muscle mass - one of the components of sarcopenia -, but its relationship with health outcomes remains under-explored. This study examined the association between longitudinal CC changes and health-related outcomes among older adults in a Southern Brazilian city. Methods: Longitudinal study using data of the “COMO VAI?” study, a cohort of older adults ( 60 years), which has been followed since 2014. CC was measured in 2014 and 2019, and participants were categorized into those with stable CC (a change within ±5% of the baseline value), those with decreased CC (a change of less than -5%), and those with increased CC (a change greater than +5%). The evaluated health-related outcomes were functional disability, self-reported falls, and the presence of the frailty phenotype. Associations between CC changes and health-related outcomes were analyzed using Poisson regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Among the 498 participants with complete CC data in both follow-ups, the proportion of individuals whose CC decreased or increased was quite similar (11.8% for decrease and 11.2% for increase). The oldest participants (≥ 80 years) and those with lower socioeconomic status were at greater risk of a CC decrease between 2014 and 2019. CC decrease was associated with a higher prevalence of functional disability (PR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.14–2.07) and frailty (PR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.62–2.71). No significant association was found between CC changes and falls. Conclusion: Declining CC was significantly associated with functional disability and frailty phenotype in older Brazilian adults.