Relationship between sarcopenia and orthostatic hypotension

Background: The relationship between sarcopenia and orthostatic hypotension (OH) is unclear. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between sarcopenia/sarcopenia severity and OH. Design: 511 patients attending a geriatric outpatient clinic were included. OH was defined as a decrease in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥20 mmHg and/or ≥10 mmHg, respectively, when one transitions from the supine to an upright position. OH was measured by the Head-up Tilt Table test at 1, 3, and 5 minutes (OH1, OH3, and OH5, respectively). Sarcopenia and severity were defined according to the revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Results:The mean age of the sample was 75.40±7.35 years and 69.9% were female.The prevalence of probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia was 42.2%, 6.06% and 11.1%, respectively. After adjustment for all covariates, systolic OH1, OH1 and systolic OH5 were statistically significant between severe sarcopenia and the robust group (Odd Ratio (OR):3.26 Confidence Interval [CI] 0.98-10.84; p=0.05 for systolic OH1, OR:4.31 CI 1.31-14.15; p=0.016 for OH1, OR:4.09 CI 1.01-16.55; p=0.048 for systolic OH5). Only systolic OH1 was statistically different between sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia groups (OR:2.64 CI; 1.87-8.73; p=0.012). OH1 and OH5 were statistically significant between severe sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia groups (p<0.05), there was no relationship between the robust group and probable sarcopenia (p>0.05). Conclusions: There is a close relationship between sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia and OH in older adults. Therefore, when a healthcare practitioner is evaluating an older patient with sarcopenia, OH should also be evaluated and vice versa.