Do obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disorders increase the incidence risk of dynapenia in adults aged 50 and older?

Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether obstructive or restrictive lung disorders are associated with the incidence of dynapenia in individuals aged 50 and over.

Methods: Longitudinal study involving 4,975 participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) aged 50 or older, without dynapenia at baseline, followed for eight years. Lung function was assessed by spirometry (predicted percentage) and participants were classified as no pulmonary disorder (FEV₁ ≥ 80 %, FVC ≥ 80 % and FEV₁/FVC ≥ 70 %); with obstructive pulmonary disorder (FEV₁ < 80 %, FEV₁/FVC < 70 % and normal FVC or < 80 %); or with restrictive pulmonary disorder (FVC < 80 %, FEV₁/FVC > 70 % and normal or < 80 % FEV₁). The incidence of dynapenia was defined by handgrip strength < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Association between obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disorders and the incidence of dynapenia were investigated using Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical characteristics.

Results: The incidence density of dynapenia was 14.2/1000 person-years (95 %CI 12.6-15.9) in those without pulmonary disorders, 25.1/1000 person-years (95 % CI 21.2-29.7) in those with restrictive pulmonary disorders and 36.6/1000 person-years (95 % CI 23.8-56.1) in those with obstructive pulmonary disorders. Having an obstructive pulmonary disorder increased the risk of developing dynapenia by 62 % (95 % CI 1.09-2.41), while having a restrictive pulmonary disorder increased the risk by 37 % (95 % CI 1.13-1.64).

Conclusion: Obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disorders are risk factors for a higher incidence of dynapenia in individuals aged 50 years or older.