The relationship between low and asymmetric handgrip strength and low muscle mass: results of a cross-sectional study on health and aging trends in western China.

Objective: The aim was to determine the relationship between low handgrip strength (HGS) only, asymmetric HGS only, and low HGS combined with asymmetric HGS and low muscle mass in the West China Health and Aging Trends Study (WCHAT) data.

Study Design: Individuals aged at least 50 years old were included in this cross-sectional study using WCHAT data. Demographic characteristics, such as age, marital status, education level, ethnicity, and drinking and smoking history, as well as chronic diseases, were recorded for all participants.

Relationship between neck vessel abnormalities and sarcopenia: results of a study examining trends in health and aging in western China.

Objective: To elucidate the association between cervical vascular abnormalities (high Crouse score, high carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT], high plaque score [PS]) and sarcopenia and its diagnostic elements.

Study Design: This cross-sectional investigation selected patients from the Western China Health and Aging Trends Study (WCHAT) aged 60 years and older. High CIMT and high Crouse score was defined as values ≥ upper quartile cutoff.

Suitable ultrasound screening method for older adults with disability to identify low muscle mass.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and consistency of different ultrasound protocols for the measurement of gastrocnemius muscle (GM) thickness and to identify a suitable ultrasound scheme that can be used to detect the low muscle mass in older with disability.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, each participant underwent three different ultrasound protocols for the measurement of the GM thickness, and each measurement was repeated three times. The three measurement schemes were as follows: method A, lying on the examination bed in a prone position with legs stretched and relaxed and feet hanging outside the examination bed; method B, lateral right side lying position with legs separated (left leg flexed and right leg in a relaxed state); and method C, right side lying position with legs together and lower limb muscles in a relaxed state.