With considerable variation including potential sex-specific differential rate of skeletal muscle loss, identifying modifiable factors for
sarcopenia will be pivotal to guide targeted interventions. This study seeks to identify clinical and
biological correlates of
sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults, with emphasis on the role of anabolic and catabolic stimuli, and special reference to gender specificity. In this cross-sectional study involving 200 community-dwelling and functionally independent older adults aged ≥50 years,
sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for
Sarcopenia criteria. Comorbidities, cognitive and functional performance, physical activity and nutritional status were routinely assessed. Biochemical parameters included haematological indices,
lipid panel,
vitamin D level, anabolic
hormones [
insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), free
testosterone (males only)] and catabolic markers [inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein) and
myostatin]. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors for
sarcopenia. Age was associated with
sarcopenia in both genders.
Malnutrition conferred significantly higher odds for
sarcopenia in women (OR = 5.71, 95% CI 1.13-28.84.44, p = 0.035) while higher but acceptable range serum
triglyceride was protective in men (OR = 0.05, 95% CI 0.00-0.52, p = 0.012). Higher serum
myostatin independently associated with higher odds for
sarcopenia in men (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.00-1.24, p = 0.041). Serum
IGF-1 was significantly lower amongst female sarcopenic subjects, with demonstrable trend for protective effect against
sarcopenia in multiple regression models, such that each 1 ng/ml increase in
IGF-1 was associated with 1% decline in odds of
sarcopenia in women (p = 0.095). Our findings support differential pathophysiological mechanisms for
sarcopenia that, if corroborated, may have clinical utility in guiding sex-specific targeted interventions for community-dwelling older adults.