Objectives: Calf circumference (CC) is considered a simple proxy for muscle mass, one of the components of sarcopenia, but its relationship to health outcomes remains underexplored. 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), that has been followed since 2014. CC was measured in 2014 and 2019, with participants categorized into stable CC (change within ±5% baseline value), decreased CC (change of less than -5%), and increased CC (change greater than +5%). The evaluated health-related outcomes were functional disability, self-reported falls, and the presence of frailty phenotype. Associations between CC changes and health-related outcomes were analyzed using Logistic 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 CC decrease between 2014 and 2019. CC decrease was associated with a higher odds of functional disability (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.27-4.50) and frailty (OR = 7.48; 95% CI: 3.18-17.57). 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.
Keywords: Anthropometry; Calf circumference; Functional disability; Muscle mass; Sarcopenia.
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