Sarcopenia Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Elderly Korean Women

Sarcopenia has been implicated in the increased risk for cognitive impairment and depression associated with aging. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationship of sarcopenia with cognitive impairment (MCI) and depression in a sample of 201 community-dwelling Korean women (mean age of 74.0±6.8 yr) between 2014 and 2015. The Korean version of mini-mental state examination and the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale was used to assess cognitive performance and depression, respectively. Grp strength was measured with a dynamometer. Demographics, body composition, education, alcohol consumption, and history of cardiovascular diseases were assessed as covariates. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of MCI and depression were calculated according to sarcopenia status. Compared to non-sarcopenic, pre-sarcopenic and sarcopenic women had the ORs of 2.160 (95% CI of 0.840 - 5.554, =0.030) and of 5.493 (95% CI of 1.854 - 16.270, =0.002) for MCI. The OR of pre-sarcopenia for MCI remained significant ( =0.030) even after adjustments for age, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass, and education, while the OR of sarcopenia for MCI was no longer significant ( =0.084) when adjusted for the covariates. Compared to non-sarcopenic, pre-sarcopenic and sarcopenic women had the ORs of 3.750 (95% CI of 1.137 - 12.370, =0.030) and of 4.687 (95% CI of 1.127-19.505, =0.034) for depression. The ORs of pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia for depression remained statistically significant ( =0.020 and =0.042, respectively) even after adjusted for the covariates. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with MCI and depression in otherwise healthy community dwelling elderly Korean women.