J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2011 Dec;15(4):207-214. 10.4235/jkgs.2011.15.4.207.

Skeletal Muscle Mass in Elderly Heart Failure Patients; Comparison between Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure and Corresponding Significance in Exercise Capacity

• Kim KI
• Park SY
• Yoo HJ
• Chung S
• Suh YW
• Lim S
• Kim KW
• Jang HC
• Kim CH

• KMID: 2064125
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2011.15.4.207

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Exercise intolerance is a common symptom of heart failure and has a detrimental impact on the quality of life. Skeletal muscle atrophy has been considered an important contributor to exercise intolerance; however, most studies have been conducted in patients with advanced systolic heart failure.
METHODS
We studied 39 ambulatory heart failure patients (age, 77.9+/-6.5; male, 17 [43.6%]) and 39 age and gender-matched, community-dwelling, elderly subjects. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic evaluations were performed. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to assess the body composition. Exercise capacity was measured by a six-minute walk test. Comprehensive geriatric assessments were also performed to evaluate comorbidity, medication, physical function, cognitive function, and nutritional status.
RESULTS
Skeletal muscle mass of heart failure patients showed no differences when compared with that of age- and gender-matched control subjects in any part of the body or in the whole body. Although diastolic heart failure patients showed lower levels of skeletal muscle mass than systolic heart failure patients, no significant difference was identified in either systolic or diastolic heart failure patients compared with respective age- and gender-matched control groups. The six-minute walk distances showed no difference between the groups (257.2+/-117.8 m in the diastolic heart failure group versus 302.7+/-109.4 m in the systolic heart failure group, p=0.226).
CONCLUSION
Although skeletal muscle mass has been known to be an independent factor associated with exercise capacity in advanced heart failure patients, skeletal muscle mass was not decreased in ambulatory, elderly heart failure patients when comparing age- and gender-matched control subjects.

Keyword

Heart failure; Elderly; Skeletal muscle; Geriatric assessment

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Aged
Atrophy
Body Composition
Comorbidity
Geriatric Assessment
Heart
Heart Failure
Heart Failure, Diastolic
Heart Failure, Systolic
Humans
Male
Muscle, Skeletal
Quality of Life