Gender-Specific Associations between Low Skeletal Muscle Mass and Albuminuria in the Middle-Aged and Elderly Population

Objective This study assessed gender-specific associations between low muscle mass (LMM) and albuminuria. Methods Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 were employed. The study consisted of 1,087 subjects (≥50 years old). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was defined as the weight-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Mild LMM and severe LMM were defined as SMI that were 1-2 and >2 standard deviations below the sex-specific mean appendicular skeletal muscle mass of young adults, respectively. Increased albuminuria was defined as albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30mg/g Results Men with mild and severe LMM were significantly more likely to have increased albuminuria (15.2% and 45.45%, respectively) than men with normal SMI (9.86%, P