Physical Function Mitigates the adverse eFFects oF Being thin on Mortality in a Free-living older taiwanese cohort

to examine the significance of underweight and physical function as well as their interaction on mortality in the aged. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: the elderly nutrition and health Survey in taiwan during 1999-2000. Participants: total of 1435 representative free-living elders (739 men and 696 women). Measurements: Body composition was assessed by various anthropometrics. Physical function score (PF, ranged 0–100) was derived from the SF–36®. Death by December 31, 2006 was the outcome measure. Results: after 7.9 (median: 7.0) years follow-up, 381 (223 men, 158 women) of 1435 eligible participants had died. those with the lowest PF (<45) had 3.43 (hazards ratio (hR), 95% confidence interval (Ci) = 2.20-5.36) times the all-cause mortality risk of the highest PF (≥58). interactions for PF and BMi (P =0.02) and for PF and wrist circumference (P =0.09) on death were found after controlling for potential confounders. Jointly, compared to normal-BMi-highest-PF, the greatest hR for death occurred where BMi <18.5 kg/m2 was combined with the lowest-PF after covariate adjustments (hR = 8.67, 95% Ci = 3.77-20.0). Similarly, the lowest arm muscle circumference (MaMC)-PF had a hR of 5.22 compared to mid-MaMC-highest-PF. however, percent and absolute body fat, estimated by bioelectrical impedance, was comparable to non-sarcopenic individuals. Conclusion: thin elderly taiwanese with sarcopenia, and less skeleton, are at the most risk of death, especially if physical function is limited.