The association between cigarette smoking exposure and sarcopenia assessed by Psoas Muscle Index: A secondary data analysis
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, leading to decreased physical capacity, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Although smoking has multiple systemic effects, its relationship with sarcopenia remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between varying levels of cigarette smoking exposure and sarcopenia, assessed using the Psoas Muscle Index (PMI) measured using non-contrast abdominal computed tomography (CT). METHODS This cross-sectional analysis included 261 adult patients who underwent non-contrast abdominal CT between 2019 and 2022 at Akdeniz University Internal Medicine and Urology outpatient clinics. The patients were categorized into three groups: active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers. Passive smokers were defined as non-smoking individuals who reported regular exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke for at least two days per week. Individuals with conditions or medications known to affect body composition were excluded from the study. Bilateral psoas muscle cross-sectional areas at the L3 vertebral level were manually measured, and PMI was calculated (cm2/m2). Sarcopenia was defined based on sex-specific PMI cutoff values derived from the lowest quintile (20th percentile) of the study population (males: ≤4.421 cm2/m2; females: ≤3.150 cm2/m2). Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 261 participants or records.
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