Arterial stiffness is associated with low skeletal muscle mass in <scp>J</scp>apanese community‐dwelling older adults

Aim To examine whether arterial stiffness, measured by the cardio‐ankle vascular index ( CAVI ), is associated with skeletal muscle mass index ( SMI ) in Japanese community‐dwelling older adults. Methods Data were collected from 175 participants through questionnaires and specific tests; the data included demographic, lifestyle and health characteristics, body mass index ( BMI ), and body composition features determined by the bioelectrical impedance analysis, ankle‐brachial index, the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment, handgrip strength ( GS ), walking speed and shuttle walking tests ( SW ), and arterial stiffness determined by the CAVI . Absolute SMI was dichotomized according to the first quintile, which determined low ( n = 35) and normal ( n = 140) SMI . Results Participants with low SMI were older ( P = 0.01), had more polypharmacy ( P = 0.01), a lower BMI ( P &lt; 0.001), and fat mass index ( P = 0.02), and had a greater risk of malnutrition ( P &lt; 0.001) than the normal group. Additionally, they showed poorer physical performance ( GS and SW , P = 0.007 and 0.01, respectively) than the normal group. Furthermore, CAVI was associated with SMI even after adjustments ( OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.14–2.90, P = 0.01). Conclusions Our data showed that arterial stiffness is associated with low SMI in community‐dwelling older adults, even when adjusting by multiple factors, showing a close interaction of vascular aging and muscle mass decline. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14 (Suppl. 1): 109–114.