| Abstract |
This study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia-related phenotypes in patients with cardiovascular diseases
and examined the associations between these phenotypes and cardiorespiratory fitness and physical performance.
Methods: This retrospective observational study examined electronic medical records of patients who underwent
cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET), body composition assessment, handgrip strength, Short Physical Performance
Battery(SPPB), 6-m gait speed, and echocardiography on the same day at a cardiac rehabilitation center of a tertiary
hospital. Sarcopenia, functional sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity were identified using the AWGS 2019, KWGS 2023, and
JWGSO 2024 definitions, respectively. We used group comparisons and minimally adjusted multiple linear regression
analyses to assess functional differences and independent associations between sarcopenia status and major physical
performance outcomes. Results: Among 61 patients with cardiovascular disease, 19.7% had sarcopenia-related
phenotypes(sarcopenia 3.3%, functional sarcopenia 9.8%, sarcopenic obesity 6.6%). Compared with the non-sarcopenia
group, those with sarcopenia-related phenotypes showed significantly lower VO2peak, peak METs, handgrip strength, tidal
volume at peak exercise, and 6-m gait speed, with large effect sizes(Cohen’s d≥0.80). Multiple regression analysis
revealed that sarcopenia status was independently associated with slower 6-m gait speed(β=-0.18 m/s, p=.021), whereas
VO2peak and SPPB scores were more strongly influenced by age, sex, and BMI than by sarcopenia itself. Left ventricular
ejection fraction had no significant association with functional outcomes. Conclusion: Sarcopenia-related phenotypes
are relatively common in patients with cardiovascular disease and are associated with clinically meaningful impairments
in exercise capacity and physical performance, particularly gait speed and respiratory muscle-related ventilatory response.
These findings highlight the significance of phenotype-based assessment in cardiac rehabilitation and support the need
for individualized rehabilitation strategies incorporating muscle strength, gait function, body composition, and respiratory
muscle performance. |