Relationship of body composition and lung function in adult and elderly males and females

BACKGROUND: The relationship between body compartments and lung function including lung volumes as well as the effects of aging on this relationship remains to be explored. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), lean mass index (LMI), fat mass index (FMI), and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) on spirometric and body plethysmographic lung function in the adult and elderly population. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study used data from 10.616 adults (≥18-82 years) from the prospective population-based LEAD cohort, conducted between 2011 and 2022 in Vienna, Austria. In total, 1923 participants were elderly (age >65 years). Body compartments were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans and indexed by height squared to account for differences related to body height. Lung function was measured by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in the 1st second; FEV1 and forced vital capacity; FVC) and by body plethysmography (total lung capacity; TLC, fractional residual capacity; FRC, and residual volume; RV). FINDINGS: In the overall study population, ALMI was positively associated with FEV1, FVC and TLC and negatively with RV and FRC. In contrast, VATI showed a negative association with all lung function parameters investigated. These effects can also be found in the elderly population. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms significant associations between body compartments and lung function in adults and in elderly and shows the need to consider body compartments in the assessment and interpretation of lung function results.