Studies from P.M. Cawthon et al have provided new data on life sciences.(Clinical report).

In this recently published article, scientists in the United States conducted a study "To examine the association between strength, function, lean mass, muscle density, and risk of hospitalization. Prospective cohort study. Two U.S. clinical centers. Adults aged 70 to 80 (N=3,011) from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study."

"Measurements were of grip strength, knee extension strength, lean mass, walking speed, and chair stand pace. Thigh computed tomography scans assessed muscle area and density (a proxy for muscle fat infiltration). Hospitalizations were confirmed by local review of medical records. Negative binomial regression models estimated incident rate ratios (IRRs) of hospitalization for race- and sex-specific quartiles of each muscle and function parameter separately. Multivariate models adjusted for age, body mass index, health status, and coexisting medical conditions. During an average 4.7 years of follow-up, 1,678 (55.7%) participants experienced one or more hospitalizations. in the lowest quartile of muscle density were more likely to be subsequently hospitalized (multivariate IRR=1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.24-1.73) than those in the highest quartile. Similarly, participants with the weakest grip strength were at greater risk of hospitalization (multivariate IRR=1.52, 95% CI=1.30-1.78, Q1 vs. Q4). Comparable results were seen for knee strength, walking pace, and chair stands pace. Lean mass and muscle area were not associated with risk of hospitalization. Weak strength, poor function, and low muscle density, but not muscle size or lean mass, were associated with greater risk of hospitalization," wrote P.M. Cawthon and colleagues (see also Life Sciences).

The researchers concluded: "To reduce the disease burden associated with sarcopenia should focus on increasing muscle strength and improving physical function rather than simply increasing lean mass.."

Cawthon and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Do Muscle Mass, Muscle Density, Strength, and Physical Function Similarly Influence Risk of Hospitalization in Older Adults? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2009;57(8):1411-1419).

For more information, contact P.M. Cawthon, California Pacific Med Center, Research Institute, 185 Berry St., Lobby 4, Suite 5700, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden 02148, MA, USA.

Keywords: United States, San Francisco, Life Sciences, Clinical Trial Research, Aging.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.

Source Citation
"Studies from P.M. Cawthon et al have provided new data on life sciences." Biotech Week 2 Sept. 2009: 1360. Academic OneFile. Web. 14 Dec. 2009. .

Gale Document Number:A206713307