Impact of COPD and sarcopenia on all-cause and respiratory mortality in US adults: NHANES 1999-2018.

BACKGROUND

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and sarcopenia (SAR) are major public health problems in aging societies, as they share common pathophysiological mechanisms and are associated with serious health consequences. We estimated the impact of COPD and SAR on all-cause and respiratory mortalities in the US adult population.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), a representative sample of the US population. Participants aged 20 years or older who had reported whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry data and data required for the diagnosis of COPD were included. Participants were divided into four groups based on the presence of COPD and SAR.

RESULTS

Compared to the COPD-/SAR - group, the COPD-/SAR+, COPD+/SAR-, and COPD+/SAR + groups all demonstrated increased all-cause mortality with Hazard Ratios (HRs) of 1.33 (95% CI 1.20-1.48), 1.51 (95% CI 1.21-1.88), and 1.87 (95% CI 1.32-2.66), respectively. In addition, both the COPD+/SAR - and COPD+/SAR + groups demonstrated increased respiratory mortality with HRs of 5.16 (95% CI 2.96-9.01), and 8.69 (95% CI 3.95-19.1) compared to the COPD-/SAR - group.

CONCLUSIONS

The coexistence of COPD and SAR additively increased the risk of all-cause and respiratory mortality. Individuals with one of these diseases may need to be treated more carefully to prevent the development of the other disease and thus reduce mortality.