Background:
Sarcopenia and altered sleep duration are common in older adults and may share underlying biological and behavioral mechanisms. However, their relationship remains unclear, particularly in Asian populations.

Objective:
To investigate the nonlinear and sex-specific associations between sleep duration and sarcopenia among Korean adults aged ≥65 years, and to explore relevant biochemical correlates.

Methods:
Data from the 2022–2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Sarcopenia was defined using appendicular skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were performed to assess the association between sleep duration and sarcopenia after adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and biochemical variables. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4, SPSS 29.0, and R 4.4.3.

Results:
Among 2,544 participants aged ≥65 years, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 9.6%. A U-shaped association between sleep duration and sarcopenia was observed, with significantly higher odds among those with long sleep (≥9 h) compared to those with 7–9 h (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.02–2.99). The association was more pronounced in men, whereas short sleep (≤5 h) showed no significant relationship. Participants with sarcopenia had lower total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, hemoglobin, and ALT levels.

Conclusion:
Prolonged sleep duration was independently associated with sarcopenia in older Korean adults, particularly in men. These findings suggest that long sleep may be both a marker and a risk factor for muscle decline, reflecting reduced activity or comorbid conditions. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify causality and clinical implications.

Authors:
Young Her, Kangwon National University, South Korea
Inhyeok Yim, Kangwon Natioonal University Hospital, South Korea
Young-Woo Jo, Kangwon National University, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Inhyeok Yim, Clinical Assistant Professor in Family Medicine, studies frailty, geriatric care, and digital health. His current work focuses on developing multimodal AI tools for predicting and managing frailty in older adults.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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