Associations Between Serum N ‐Terminal Pro‐Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels and the Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Middle‐Aged and Older J apanese Adults: A Population‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study

AIM: Evidence regarding the association between heart failure and sarcopenia in middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults is scarce. This study aimed to examine the association between NT-proBNP levels and sarcopenia among community-dwelling adults aged 40-74 years. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study, which involved 1675 Japanese residents aged 40-74 years. Serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, physical function, and lifestyle information were measured. Participants were categorized according to their NT-proBNP levels (< 55, 55-124, and ≥ 125 pg/mL). Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios for low skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, walking speed, maximal walking speed, and sarcopenia according to serum NT-proBNP levels. RESULTS: Among the analyzed participants, the prevalence was 22.6% for low skeletal muscle mass, 4.3% for low handgrip strength, 14.3% for low walking speed, 24.1% for low maximal walking speed, and 5.9% for sarcopenia. The multivariable odds ratios (95% confidence interval, p for trend) comparing the highest versus lowest groups of serum NT-proBNP levels were 1.63 (1.07-2.49, p < 0.01) for low skeletal muscle mass, 3.38 (1.70-6.73, p < 0.01) for low handgrip strength, 1.81 (0.96-3.40, p = 0.06) for low walking speed, 1.75 (1.03-2.97, p = 0.06) for low maximal walking speed, and 2.56 (1.07-6.14, p = 0.03) for sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: High serum NT-proBNP levels, which are a surrogate marker for heart failure, were associated with low physical function and sarcopenia.