Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and obesity in sarcopenia and presarcopenia among elderly people

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obesity and sarcopenia are issues have been attracting increasing attention. The associations between OSA, obesity and sarcopenia have rarely been investigated in previous studies. Methods We invited healthy adults aged 60 years or older who lived in Chang Gung Health and Culture Village in Taoyuan or Songshan District in Taipei city between September 2019 and October 2020 to participate in this study. Demographics were collected from the electronic medical records of our hospital or statements of the participants. Full-channel home polysomnography (PSG), handgrip strength, the 4-meter walk test, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were used to evaluate OSA and sarcopenia. Results A total of 96 participants were included. Considering the small number of sarcopenia participants and the pathophysiology of OSA, we included presarcopenia participants in the sarcopenia group. The severity of OSA and BMI increased with age, and the peak values were observed between 70 and 80 years of age. A delayed increase in the severity of OSA in females was observed. Males were more likely to be obese than females. The prevalence of sarcopenia increased with age and was greater in females. In those without sarcopenia, a positive correlation was observed between the severity of OSA and obesity (p = 0.043). Conclusions Sarcopenia and low muscle mass may be confounding factors when evaluating the relationship between OSA and obesity in elderly individuals.