Optimal lumbar vertebral level for trunk muscle CT assessments in opportunistic sarcopenia screening: a cross-sectional study

Objectives
This study aims to identify the optimal lumbar vertebral level for CT-based assessments of trunk muscles in relation to physical function and muscle strength, and to establish a foundation for opportunistic CT screening for sarcopenia.

Design
A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2022 and December 2022. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to estimate the correlation between CT parameters of trunk muscle with physical function and muscle strength.

Setting and participants
The study included community residents aged 50 years and older from Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, who were part of the SOY (Sarcopenia and Osteoporosis Study of Yunnan) cohort. A total of 615 participants were enrolled, comprising 424 men and 191 women. Among these, 31 individuals (20 men and 11 women) were diagnosed with sarcopenia.

Interventions
Each participant underwent lumbar CT scanning, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength (HGS) assessment.

Primary outcome measures
A correlation analysis was conducted for both the general and sarcopenia groups, after adjusting for age and body mass index. Additionally, a gender-stratified analysis was performed.

Results
Muscle density and muscle area at all levels exhibited a moderate correlation with grip strength, with the correlation for muscle area being more pronounced (correlation β of muscle density =0.48–0.54, p value

Leggi
Marzo 2025