Elderly Asthma Patients: Less Muscle and Physical Activity Signal 'Red Light' for Lung Function

Seoul Asan Hospital Analyzes 4,000 Koreans Aged 65+
Asthma with Sarcopenia Shows 5x Lower Lung Capacity than Asthma Alone
"Early Diagnosis of Sarcopenia in Elderly Asthma Patients... Exercise and Diet Management"

Stock photo of an elderly asthma patient. [Image source=Getty Images]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A study has found that 'sarcopenia,' which worsens the quality of life in old age, is also related to decreased lung function in elderly asthma patients.

Professor Kim Tae-beom of the Allergy Department and Professor Jang Il-young of the Geriatrics Department at Seoul Asan Medical Center, along with Professor Won Ha-kyung's team from the Respiratory Allergy Department at the Central Veterans Hospital, analyzed data from 4,116 elderly individuals aged 65 and older who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008?2011) to investigate the association between sarcopenia and asthma, confirming these results on the 10th.

The results showed that elderly asthma patients with sarcopenia had nearly five times higher rates of significantly reduced lung capacity compared to those with asthma alone without sarcopenia. The rate of airway obstruction was also about twice as high.

First, to examine the correlation between lung function and muscle mass, elderly asthma patients were divided based on muscle mass, and lung function indicators were compared. The group with asthma only, without sarcopenia, had 9.07% of individuals with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) below 60%, whereas the group with both sarcopenia and asthma had 42.88%, more than four times higher.

FEV1 refers to the volume of air expelled during the first second of a forceful exhalation after taking a deep breath, and a value below 60% of the predicted normal indicates severely reduced lung capacity. In other words, elderly asthma patients with sarcopenia are much more likely to have significantly decreased lung capacity compared to those with asthma alone without sarcopenia.

From the left, Professor Kim Taebeom of the Department of Allergy, Asan Medical Center, Professor Jang Ilyoung of the Department of Geriatrics, and Professor Won Hakyeong of the Department of Respiratory Allergy, Central Veterans Hospital.
[Photo by Asan Medical Center]

Additionally, when elderly asthma patients were categorized by physical activity levels and lung function indicators were analyzed, the group with high physical activity showed 16.73% with FEV1 below 60%. In contrast, the group with moderate physical activity had 22.21%, and the group with low physical activity had 23.53%, indicating that lower physical activity correlates with more severe lung capacity reduction. The lower the physical activity, the higher the proportion of individuals experiencing breathing difficulties due to decreased lung capacity and airway obstruction.

This study is significant as it is the first to demonstrate, based on a large community-dwelling elderly population, that decreased muscle mass and lack of physical activity are related to reduced lung function in elderly asthma patients. If lung function is impaired in elderly asthma patients, early diagnosis to check for accompanying sarcopenia is necessary, along with continuous management of muscle mass and physical activity.

Professor Kim Tae-beom of the Allergy Department at Seoul Asan Medical Center explained, “This study is meaningful in that it revealed the association between sarcopenia and asthma based on a large elderly population aged 65 and older living in the community. Further follow-up studies are needed to confirm causality.” Professor Jang Il-young of the Geriatrics Department at Seoul Asan Medical Center added, “To prevent sarcopenia in elderly asthma patients, we recommend consistent light exercises such as calisthenics and walking within a safe range for the body, combined with protein intake.”

The study results were published in the latest issue of the international journal in the field of asthma, the Journal of Asthma.

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