Gait Seed and Sagittal Abdominal Diameter: The Results from the Handan Eye Study

Background The sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) is more precise than body mass index (BMI) for predicting adverse events in elderly. While physical function and BMI is related, the relationship is uncertain. BMI and gait speed (GS) is related and have a U-shaped distribution. The objective was to examine the relationship between GS and SAD in men and women aged 50 years and older. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis. Data from the Handan Eye Study (HES), a Chinese prospective longitudinal study with participants randomly selected from the Yongnian county. Usual GS was measured over a 4 meters-track. SAD was categorized by interquartile: <18.0cm; 18.0-19.79cm; 19.8-21.89cm; ≥21.9cm. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses of covariance were performed to estimate the gender-specific means (and 95% CI) of GS (in m/s) according to SAD categories. Results The current analyses were performed in 2852 participants. Mean age was 56.16 years for women and 56.54 years for men. The unadjusted means of GS were 0.995 (95% CI 0.972-1.019) m/s in SAD Q1 participants, 0.991 (95% CI 0.968-1.014) m/s in SAD Q2, 0.986 (95% CI 0.964-1.007) m/s in SAD Q3 and 0.961 (95% CI 0.937-0.985) m/s in SAD Q4 individuals in women. The similar trend presented in men [Q1: 0.993 (95%CI 0.969-1.016) m/s; Q2: 0.980 (95%CI 0.956-1.004); Q3: 0.944 (95%CI 0.918-0.970); Q4: 0.948 (95%CI 0.923-0.973)]. After adjustment for age, the reported trends between GS and SAD in categories were largely confirmed in women, but not in men. Conclusions Age and gender should be considered when we explore the relationship between GS and SAD in elderly.