The relationship of cytomegalovirus with physical functioning and health-related quality of life in older adults.

Aims/introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent virus, known to be associated with cardiovascular morbidity. It has been hypothesised to play a role in the development of frailty, but its association with physical function and sarcopenia has yet to be fully understood. This study aimed to look at the relationship between CMV, sarcopenia and health-related quality of life in older adults.

Methods: 210 people in the south of England, UK, with median age 68 years (49% male, 51% female) underwent demographic and medical questionnaires, measures of body composition (bioimpedance analysis), handgrip strength and the short form 36 item survey of quality of life (SF36). All participants had CMV serology and inflammatory markers measured. Measures of sarcopenia were calculated using European Working Group definitions.

Results: 51.7% of participants were positive for CMV Immunoglobulin G (IgG). There were no significant differences between CMV positive and negative groups in age, gender, measures of sarcopenia or inflammatory markers. CMV positive groups had lower scores in all domains of the SF36, with significantly lower physical function score (88.7 vs 81.3, p = 0.003) as well as limitations due to physical health, energy/fatigue, social functioning and pain. On linear regression, CMV status was significantly associated with SF36 physical function score (p = 0.004) after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, C-reactive protein and handgrip strength.

Conclusions: CMV positivity is significantly associated with physical function and health-related quality of life in older adults, although its direct relationship to sarcopenia is yet to be fully ascertained.