Abstract
Background: Hypertension and sarcopenia are commonly seen in older
adults. The renin-angiotensin system and the therapeutic use of
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been on the agenda
of sarcopenia in different perspectives. Our aim was to explore the
frequency of sarcopenia in patients with hypertension and to investigate
the association between the use of ACE inhibitors and sarcopenia.
Methods: A total of 233 community dwelling adults were recruited.
Anterior thigh muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound. Handgrip
strength, gait speed and chair stand test were evaluated. Presarcopenia
was diagnosed in the presence of low sonographic thigh adjustment ratio
(STAR) values and sarcopenia was diagnosed if low STAR values were
coupled with low functional tests. Results: 109 subjects (46.8%) had no
comorbid disease; 93 (75.0%) had one, 21 (16.9%) had two, eight
(6.5%) had three and two (1.6%) had four comorbid diseases. Both
presarcopenia (48.3% vs. 21.1%) and sarcopenia (33.3% vs. 7.0%) were
more commonly seen in hypertensive when compared to normotensive older
adults. Subgroup analysis of older adults with hypertension revealed
that sarcopenia was less prevalent (p=0.020) in patients using ACE
inhibitors (9.1%) than those using angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
(40.5%) and other antihypertensive drugs (42.9%). After binary
logistic regression analyses; only the presence of hypertension seemed
to independently predict the development of sarcopenia in older adults
[OR=7.9 (95% CI: 2.6-24.5, p<0.001)]. Conclusions:
Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in hypertensive older adults. Among many
antihypertensive medications, ACE inhibitors seem to have favorable
effects on both disorders.