Determinant of functional independence in older patients with heart failure: physical function vs. muscle mass

Aim

While sarcopenia affects functional independence in older patients with heart failure (HF), the differential impact of its components—including muscle mass (MM), muscle strength (MS), and physical function (PF)—remain underexplored. We investigated these components’ independent and synergistic associations with functional independence in older patients with HF, including sex-specific differences.

Methods

We studied 587 older patients with HF (299 women; mean age, 79±7 years). MM, MS, and PF were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, handgrip strength, and physical performance tests (gait speed, five-times sit-to-stand test [FTSS], short physical performance battery [SPPB]), respectively. Cutoffs for each component followed the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Functional independence was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI).

Results

Sarcopenia was associated with lower BI scores. Poor PF independently predicted reduced BI scores (slow gait speed: 8.4 points; prolonged FTSS: 10.9 points; low SPPB: 14.8 points; all p < 0.001), whereas low MM and weak MS did not. Low MM amplified the negative impact of poor PF on BI scores consistently across sexes. Machine-learning analysis revealed MM status-specific predictors of PF: clinical factors (female sex, HF symptoms) and comorbidities predicted poor PF in patients with normal MM; renin-angiotensin system inhibition, and cardiomyopathy were associated with preserved PF in patients with low MM.

Conclusions

In older patients with HF, sarcopenia is closely and negatively associated with BI score primarily through poor PF; MM potentially modifies this relationship independent of sex. MM status-specific factors associated with PF suggest the importance of phenotype-specific approaches in facilitating functional independence.