Association of remnant cholesterol with sarcopenia in Korean adults: a nationwide population-based study using data from the KNHANES

• Published in: Frontiers in endocrinology (Lausanne) Vol. 15; p. 1391733
• Main Authors: Jang, Soo Yeon, Hwang, Soon-Young, Jang, Ahreum, Kim, Kyeong Jin, Yu, Ji Hee, Kim, Nam Hoon, Yoo, Hye Jin, Kim, Nan Hee, Baik, Sei Hyun, Choi, Kyung Mook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 2024
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adult; Aged; Cholesterol - blood; Cross-Sectional Studies; dyslipidemia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; muscle mass; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Nutrition Surveys; remnant cholesterol; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Risk Factors; sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - epidemiology; triglyceride-rich lipoproteins; Republic of Korea; muscle mass; remnant cholesterol; dyslipidemia; sarcopenia; triglyceride-rich lipoproteins
• ISSN: 1664-2392; 1664-2392
• DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1391733

Mounting evidence indicates the importance of the interplay between skeletal muscles and lipid metabolism. Remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) is considered one of the principal residual risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders; however, there are limited studies on the impact of remnant-C on sarcopenia. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) between 2008 and 2011 were used in this nationwide population-based study. In total, 17,408 participants were enrolled in this study. The subjects were categorized into four groups according to the quartile of remnant-C values. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between remnant-C and muscle mass measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A total of 1,791 participants (10.3%) presented low muscle mass, and there was a sequential increase in the percentage of low muscle mass across remnant-C quartiles (Q1, 5.2%; Q2, 8.7%; Q3, 11.5%; Q4, 15.7%). In the full adjusted model, those in the highest remnant-C quartile group showed significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for low muscle mass compared with those in the lowest remnant-C group after adjusting for various confounding factors (OR = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.68, 0.05). A wide range of subgroups and sensitivity analyses showed consistent results, supporting the robustness of our findings. Increased remnant-C value was associated with a high risk of low muscle mass in the Korean population. Remnant-C may be a novel marker for the prediction and management of sarcopenia in aging societies.