Table 1.
Main characteristics of studies included in the meta-analysis.
| First Author and Year | Study Design | Setting | Population | Sarcopenia Definition | Diagnostic Tools | Muscle Mass in Sarcopenic Population | Handgrip strength in Sarcopenic Population | Adiponectin Measurement | Study Main Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramachandran et al. (32) | Cross Sectional | Community Dwelling |
n= 539
M: n=280 F: n= 259 |
The lowest sex-specific tertile: 93.8 cm2 in women and 110.7 cm2 in men) of adjusted thigh muscle area. | CT scan of the thigh. | 91.08 ± 7.66 cm2 | NA | Radio-immunoassay | Elderly subjects with central and global adiposity are more likely to have worse glucose tolerance. A strong negative association between circulating adiponectin levels and glucose disposal rates after adjustment for confounders is described. |
| Kim et al. (33) | Cross Sectional | Community Dwelling |
n=288
M: n=171 F: n=117 |
ASM/weight (%) of 1 SD below the sex-specific mean value for the young reference group. Cutoff point for sarcopenia: 30.9% in men and 24.5% in women. | DXA | 17.53 ± 4.9 | NA | ELISA | Serum adipocyte fatty binding acid protein levels are higher in sarcopenia vs non sarcopenia, both men and women |
| Can et al. (34) | Cross Sectional | Community Dwelling |
n = 77 M: n = 27 F: n = 45 |
EWGSOP | BIA | 18.4 ± 4.0 kg | 14.2 ± 7.1 kg | ELISA | Sarcopenia is associated with higher levels of CRP, ESR and lower levels of adiponectin |
| Harada et al. (35) | Retrospective | In hospital patients prior to cardiac surgery |
n = 132 M: n = 80 F: n = 52 |
AWGS | BIA | 5.20 ± 0.71 kg/m2 | 12.6 ± 5.9 kg | ELISA | Adiponectin and sialic acid were significantly higher in sarcopenic than non-sarcopenic CVD patients. |
| Lu et al. (36) | Cross Sectional | Community Dwelling |
n = 189 M: n = 70 F: n = 119 |
AWGS | DXA | 5.86 ± 1.04 kg/m2 | NR | ELISA | Sarcopenic elderly showed lower BMI and leptin and higher adiponectin and high-density lipoproteins. Levels of EAA, branched-chain AAs and choline, were inversely associated with sarcopenia. |
| Rossi et al. (37) | Cross Sectional | Community Dwelling |
n = 57 M: n = NR F: n = NR |
NHANES | DXA | 20.2 ± 3.9 kg | 23.9 ± 6.2 kg | Serum ELISA | Sarcopenic individuals showed greater adiponectin concentration adiponectin/fat mass ratio adiponectin/visceral and higher PAI-1. |
| Li et al. (38) | Cross Sectional | Community, Nursery Care and in hospital patients |
n = 112 M: n = 50 F: n = 62 |
AWGS | DXA | 5.78 ± 0.78 kg/m2 | 23.2 ± 7.34 kg | ELISA | High levels of the inflammatory cytokines TWEAK and TNF-α are associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia, while IGF-1, insulin, and adiponectin are associated with a decreased risk of sarcopenia |
AWGS, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia; BIA, bioelectrical impedance analysis; CVD, cardio-vascular disease; DXA, dual-energy X ray absorptiometry; EWGSOP, European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ESR, erythrocyte sediment ratio; EAA, plasma essential amino acids; IGF-1, insulin growth factor-1; TNF-alfa, tumor necrosis factor alfa; TWEAK, TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.