P729 - COMBINED IMPACT OF LOW TONGUE PRESSURE AND MALNUTRITION ON SARCOPENIA COMPONENTS AND OUTCOMES IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

P729

COMBINED IMPACT OF LOW TONGUE PRESSURE AND MALNUTRITION ON SARCOPENIA COMPONENTS AND OUTCOMES IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

Y. Morimoto^1,*, D. Tashiro¹, T. Yanase², H. Kakihana¹, T. Osaki¹, R. Uchitomi¹, A. Tsukumo¹

¹Kobe Gakuin University, ²Nishi Memorial Port-island Rehabilitation Hospital, Kobe, Japan

Rationale: Low tongue pressure (LTP) and malnutrition are known independent risk factors for sarcopenia, but few studies have examined their combined effects. Additionally, the inclution of muscle-specific strength (MSS) as a novel concept of sarcopenia may yield deeper insights into the interplay between LTP, malnutrition, and sarcopenia.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years were recruited. Participants were categorized into four groups: Control, LTP only, Malnutrition only (Mal), and combined LTP and malnutrition (LTP+Mal). LTP was defined as TP below the age- and sex-specific reference values ¹. Malnutrition was defined if either weight loss or BMI<18.5kgm² of the Kihon Check List applied ². We assessed sarcopenia components—quadriceps strength (QS), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), MSS (QS divided by one-legged muscle mass)—as well as outcomes (5-repetition sit-to-stand [5ST], one-legged stance). Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted adjusting for factors.

Results: A total of 140 participants were analyzed (Control n=72, LTP n=30, Mal n=25, LTP+Mal n=13). Only the LTP+Mal was related to lower MSS (B=-59.9, p=0.03). P for interaction of LTP and Mal was  0.42. Mediation analysis showed that MSS partially mediated the relationship between LTP+Mal and reduced 5ST (path a: B=-0.2, p=0.01; path b: B=-0.2, p=0.01; direct effect c’ : B=0.02, p=0.83) and one-legged stance (path a: B=-0.2, p=0.01; b: B=0.2, p<0.01; c’ : B=-0.1, p=0.26).

Conclusion: The co-occurrence of LTP and malnutrition is associated with MSS and this co-occurrence may be related to sarcopenia outcomes via MSS, but causality is not clear due to the cross-sectional design.

References: 1. Iwasaki M et al,. J Prosthodont Res. 2023;67(1):62-69.  2. Arai H et al,. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2015;15(4):518-9.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared