Press Release

Age-related changes in swallowing muscle intramuscular adipose tissue deposition and related factors

Published: August 17, 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate age-related changes in the intramuscular adipose tissue (IAT) of the tongue and geniohyoid muscle (GHM) and associated factors.

Design
Exploratory cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants
This study included 89 participants recruited from a health survey, which included 38 younger adults (age range, 20–63 years) and 51 older adults (age range, 65–87 years).

Measurements
Age, body mass index, body fat, lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass index, trunk muscle mass index, tongue pressure, jaw opening force, and oral diadochokinesis were assessed. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and echo intensity (EI) of the tongue and GHM were measured using ultrasonography. IAT was assessed according to EI values. The factors related to the IAT of each muscle were examined using multiple regression analysis. We also investigated the correlation of IAT with factors related to oral function and systemic and morphological factors.

Results
Neither the EI of the tongue nor that of the GHM had a significant correlation with factors related to oral function and systemic factors. In the multiple regression analysis, significant explanatory variables for EI of the tongue and GHM were age (β = 0.14, P = 0.019; tongue and β = 0.13, P = 0.017; GHM) and the CSA of each muscle (β = −0.01, P = 0.042; tongue and β = −0.04, P = 0.003; GHM). EI was positively associated with age and negatively associated with muscle CSA.

Conclusion
Age-related changes in the IAT show the same trend for both the tongue and GHM, unlike age-related changes in muscle mass. The IATs of the tongue and GHM were not significantly correlated with oral function and systemic factors. Therefore, EI may not be a useful index for the functional evaluation of the tongue and GHM.

Journal Article

JOURNALExperimental Gerontology

TITLE:Age-related changes in swallowing muscle intramuscular adipose tissue deposition and related factors


DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111505

Correspondence to

Yamaguchi Kohei,Specially Appointed Assistant Professor
 

Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation,
Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences,
Tokyo Medical and Dental University(TMDU)
E-mail:k.yamaguchi.swal(at)tmd.ac.jp


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