Predictors of Low Muscle Strength and Reduction in Fat-Free Mass in Multi-Ethnic Asian Populations Undergoing Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery.

BACKGROUND

Bariatric-metabolic surgery (BMS) reduces muscle mass due to rapid weight loss. The objective is to assess the prevalence of pre-operative low muscle strength and predictors of post-operative low muscle strength in Asian populations undergoing BMS.

METHODS

This observational study included BMS patients from a single centre between January 2022 and May 2024. Baseline demographics, anthropometric data and pre-operative muscle strength (via handgrip strength, 30-s and 1-min sit-to-stand-test) were collected. Low muscle strength was diagnosed using age-, sex- and ethnicity-specific cutoffs. Post-operative outcomes included hospital stay duration, 30-day adverse events, weight loss and strength at 6 months.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty-four participants were included (96 male, mean age 39.2 years, mean pre-op BMI 42.3), with low muscle strength observed in 162 (50%). This group had a higher pre-operative BMI compared to the normal muscle strength group (43.5 vs 41.0, p = 0.002). Indian participants had the highest prevalence of low muscle strength (p = 0.043). There were no significant differences in age, sex and biochemical markers between the groups. Post-operatively, there were no significant differences in complications and length of stay between the groups. At 6 months, 60.4% maintained muscle strength, while 14.2% showed a ≥ 10% decline. Adjusting for age, gender, pre-operative BMI and surgery type, higher pre-operative BMI was significantly associated with muscle strength drop of ≥ 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

Low muscle strength was prevalent in 50% of Asian BMS candidates, with higher BMI and Indian ethnicity identified as potential associated factors. In a subset with follow-up data, higher BMI predicted strength loss ≥ 10% post-operatively. Further longitudinal studies with validated strength measures are needed to confirm these associations.