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Objectively measured far vision impairment and sarcopenia among adults aged ≥ 65 years from six low- and middle-income countries

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Abstract

Background

There are currently no studies on visual impairment and sarcopenia. We investigated the cross-sectional association between objectively measured far vision impairment and sarcopenia in a nationally representative sample of older adults aged 65 years and over from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Cross-sectional, community-based data from the study on global ageing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. Far vision acuity was measured using the tumbling E LogMAR chart and classified as: no vision impairment (6/12 or better); mild vision impairment (6/18 or better but worse than 6/12); moderate vision impairment (6/60 or better but worse than 6/18); severe vision impairment (worse than 6/60). Sarcopenia was defined as having low skeletal muscle mass and either a slow gait speed or a weak handgrip strength. Associations were assessed with multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Fourteen thousand five hundred and eighty five individuals aged ≥ 65 years were included in the analysis [mean (SD) age 72.6 (11.5) years; 54.1% females]. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, compared to those with no vision impairment, the OR (95% CI) for sarcopenia in those with mild, moderate, and severe vision impairment were 1.10 (0.87–1.40), 1.69 (1.25–2.27), and 3.38 (1.69–6.77), respectively. The estimates for females and males were similar.

Conclusions

The odds for sarcopenia increased with increasing severity of far vision impairment among older people in LMICs. The mere co-occurrence of these conditions is concerning, and it may be prudent to implement interventions to address/prevent sarcopenia in those with far vision impairment through the promotion of physical activity and appropriate nutrition.

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Availability of data and materials

Data are available from https://www.who.int/healthinfo/sage/en/

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Acknowledgements

This paper uses data from WHO’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). SAGE is supported by the US. National Institute on Aging through Interagency Agreements OGHA 04034785, YA1323–08-CN-0020, Y1-AG-1005-01 and through research Grants R01-AG034479 and R21-AG034263.

Funding

Dr. Guillermo F. López-Sánchez. Seneca Foundation—Agency for Science and Technology of the Region of Murcia, Spain (20390/PD/17).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Lee Smith

  2. Vision and Eye Research Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University-Cambridge Campus, Cambridge, UK

    Guillermo F. López-Sánchez & Shahina Pardhan

  3. Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Dr Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Louis Jacob & Ai Koyanagi

  4. School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Yvonne Barnett

  5. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Nicola Veronese

  6. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Pinar Soysal

  7. Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK

    Mark A. Tully

  8. Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, UK

    Trish Gorely

  9. Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 03722, Seoul, South Korea

    Jae Il Shin

  10. ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain

    Ai Koyanagi

Authors
  1. Lee Smith
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  2. Guillermo F. López-Sánchez
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  10. Jae Il Shin
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  11. Ai Koyanagi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lee Smith.

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Appendix

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Table 3 Association of far vision impairment with different definitions of sarcopenia estimated by multivariable logistic regression
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Smith, L., López-Sánchez, G.F., Jacob, L. et al. Objectively measured far vision impairment and sarcopenia among adults aged ≥ 65 years from six low- and middle-income countries. Aging Clin Exp Res 33, 2995–3003 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-021-01841-y

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