The prevalence of sarcopenia and subtypes in cardiovascular diseases, and a new diagnostic approach.

Abstract Background The prevalence of sarcopenia and its subtypes, such as sarcopenic obesity, osteosarcopenia, and osteosarcopenic obesity, is little known in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods Physical, motor functional, and nutritional assessments were performed for 230 community-dwelling (CD) adults who came to receive a physical check-up, and 160 patients with CVD who were admitted to our hospital. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia guidelines. The subtypes of sarcopenia were consecutively diagnosed according to increased body fat percentage and decreased bone density. Results The CVD patients had malnutrition when compared to the CD adults. Impaired motor function of the CVD patients occurred in females as compared with males. The prevalence of sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia, and osteosarcopenic obesity was higher in the CVD patients than in the CD adults (16.9% vs. 4.4%, p  Conclusions CVD may accelerate sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia, and osteosarcopenic obesity. Our calculation formula for the easy diagnosis of sarcopenia may help in an early diagnosis and prevent it before worsening the patient's prognosis.