BackgroundThis study explores the link between muscle mass decline and lung function deterioration, which can worsen respiratory health by reducing exercise capacity and quality of life. The relationship between muscle mass index (MMI) changes and lung function in the general population remains unclear, especially as muscle mass fluctuates with aging. We aimed to clarify this dynamic relationship by examining how changes in muscle mass impact pulmonary function and the development of respiratory symptoms.MethodsWe utilized the Ansan and Ansung Cohort Study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) database, a large‐scale prospective cohort, enrolling participants aged 40 to 69 years with lung function and body composition measurements. Over 12 years, data were collected biannually. The study assessed associations between changes in MMI and lung function trends, with cT1‐T3 calculated using the linear regression coefficient and stratified by tertile. Survival analysis was then performed to examine differences in time to first airflow obstruction (AFO) and exacerbation among the tertiles.ResultsA total of 2956 participants were enrolled in this study. At baseline, participants with higher MMI tended to be younger, had fewer co‐morbidities and exhibited better lung function. Those with a steeper MMI decline rate exhibited a more rapid forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline over a 12‐year follow‐up (cT1: 43.3 mL/year, cT2: 38.4 mL/year, cT3: 33.2 mL/year, p < 0.001). Forced vital capacity (FVC) decline were more pronounced in groups with greater MMI decline rates (cT1: 38.5 mL/year, cT2: 32.8 mL/year, cT3: 26.0 mL/year, p < 0.001). Although, the time to first AFO did not differ significantly among T1‐T3 groups, the time to first exacerbation related to wheezing event was significantly lower in cT3 group than in cT1 group (HR: 0.786, 95% CI: 0.629, 0.982).ConclusionsA faster decline in MMI was associated with more rapid decline of both FEV1 and FVC and a higher risk of developing exacerbations of respiratory symptom. Although AFO was not associated with changes in MMI, further research is needed to explore the long‐term relationships between muscle mass and the effects of preventive interventions aimed at maintaining muscle mass and respiratory health.

中文翻译：

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肌肉质量指数下降是一般人群肺功能下降的预测指标


背景本研究探讨了肌肉质量下降与肺功能恶化之间的联系，肺功能恶化会通过降低运动能力和生活质量来恶化呼吸系统健康。在普通人群中，肌肉质量指数 （MMI） 变化与肺功能之间的关系仍不清楚，尤其是当肌肉质量随着年龄的增长而波动时。我们旨在通过检查肌肉质量的变化如何影响肺功能和呼吸系统症状的发展来阐明这种动态关系。方法我们利用了韩国基因组和流行病学研究 （KoGES） 数据库的 Ansan 和 Ansung 队列研究，这是一个大规模的前瞻性队列，招募了 40 至 69 岁的参与者进行肺功能和身体成分测量。在 12 年中，每半年收集一次数据。该研究评估了 MMI 变化与肺功能趋势之间的关联，其中 cT1-T3 使用线性回归系数计算并按三分位数分层。然后进行生存分析以检查三分位数之间首次出现气流阻塞 （AFO） 和恶化的时间差异。结果共有 2956 名参与者参加了这项研究。在基线时，MMI 较高的参与者往往更年轻，合并症更少，肺功能更好。在 12 年的随访中，MMI 下降率陡峭的患者表现出更快速的 1 秒用力呼气容积 （FEV1） 下降 （cT1：43.3 mL/年，cT2：38.4 mL/年，cT3：33.2 mL/年，p < 0.001）。在 MMI 下降率较高的组中，用力肺活量 （FVC） 下降更为明显 （cT1：38.5 mL/年，cT2：32.8 mL/年，cT3：26.0 mL/年，p < 0.001）。 虽然 T1-T3 组之间的首次 AFO 时间没有显著差异，但 cT3 组与喘息事件相关的首次恶化时间显著低于 cT1 组 （HR： 0.786， 95% CI： 0.629， 0.982）。结论MMI 下降越快，FEV1 和 FVC 下降越快，呼吸系统症状恶化的风险越高。尽管 AFO 与 MMI 的变化无关，但需要进一步研究来探索肌肉质量与旨在维持肌肉质量和呼吸健康的预防性干预措施效果之间的长期关系。