The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults

BackgroundThe HALP score, combining hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet parameters, serves as a comprehensive indicator reflecting both inflammatory processes and nutritional conditions. Our investigation aimed to explore the association of this composite score with the prevalence of low m...

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Main Authors: Suxia Liu, Jiansheng Huang, Xiaolei Hu, Shuaiqing Chen, Mingshen Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618736/full
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author Suxia Liu
Jiansheng Huang
Xiaolei Hu
Shuaiqing Chen
Mingshen Lin
author_facet Suxia Liu
Jiansheng Huang
Xiaolei Hu
Shuaiqing Chen
Mingshen Lin
author_sort Suxia Liu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe HALP score, combining hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet parameters, serves as a comprehensive indicator reflecting both inflammatory processes and nutritional conditions. Our investigation aimed to explore the association of this composite score with the prevalence of low muscle mass and associated mortality in the elderly American population.MethodsThe investigation incorporated information from 3,550 individuals aged ≥60 years enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2004. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to assess the presence of low muscle mass, while Cox proportional hazards models examined mortality outcomes. Non-linear associations and inflection points were examined through the application of restricted cubic spline (RCS) methodology. Additional statistical analyses included Kaplan–Meier survival curve, subgroup analyses, interaction testing, and sensitivity analyses.ResultsParticipants within the top ln HALP quartile demonstrated a 29% lower probability of having low muscle mass relative to those in the bottom quartile (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.89). Participants with low muscle mass in the top quartile of ln HALP had a 23% reduced risk of all-cause mortality compared to those in the bottom quartile (HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.97). Non-linear modeling using restricted cubic splines established a critical value at ln HALP = 3.9. Below this value, increasing ln HALP was inversely related to both the presence of low muscle mass (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.75) and mortality (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.68). No meaningful statistical trends were detected beyond this critical value. Population stratification analyses supported the generalizability of these findings across diverse subgroups (all P for interaction > 0.05).ConclusionThe HALP score demonstrated a negative correlation with the prevalence of low muscle mass and its associated mortality, indicating its utility as a combined indicator for risk assessment.
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spelling doaj-art-50ab3baf11934bdc8d1b4f5090de61c82025-08-20T03:47:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-08-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16187361618736The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adultsSuxia Liu0Jiansheng Huang1Xiaolei Hu2Shuaiqing Chen3Mingshen Lin4Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Lishui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lishui, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, ChinaBackgroundThe HALP score, combining hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet parameters, serves as a comprehensive indicator reflecting both inflammatory processes and nutritional conditions. Our investigation aimed to explore the association of this composite score with the prevalence of low muscle mass and associated mortality in the elderly American population.MethodsThe investigation incorporated information from 3,550 individuals aged ≥60 years enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2004. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to assess the presence of low muscle mass, while Cox proportional hazards models examined mortality outcomes. Non-linear associations and inflection points were examined through the application of restricted cubic spline (RCS) methodology. Additional statistical analyses included Kaplan–Meier survival curve, subgroup analyses, interaction testing, and sensitivity analyses.ResultsParticipants within the top ln HALP quartile demonstrated a 29% lower probability of having low muscle mass relative to those in the bottom quartile (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.89). Participants with low muscle mass in the top quartile of ln HALP had a 23% reduced risk of all-cause mortality compared to those in the bottom quartile (HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.97). Non-linear modeling using restricted cubic splines established a critical value at ln HALP = 3.9. Below this value, increasing ln HALP was inversely related to both the presence of low muscle mass (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.75) and mortality (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.68). No meaningful statistical trends were detected beyond this critical value. Population stratification analyses supported the generalizability of these findings across diverse subgroups (all P for interaction > 0.05).ConclusionThe HALP score demonstrated a negative correlation with the prevalence of low muscle mass and its associated mortality, indicating its utility as a combined indicator for risk assessment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618736/fullolder adultslow muscle masssarcopeniaHALPmortalityNHANES
spellingShingle Suxia Liu
Jiansheng Huang
Xiaolei Hu
Shuaiqing Chen
Mingshen Lin
The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults
Frontiers in Nutrition
older adults
low muscle mass
sarcopenia
HALP
mortality
NHANES
title The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults
title_full The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults
title_fullStr The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults
title_full_unstemmed The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults
title_short The association of HALP score with low muscle mass in older adults
title_sort association of halp score with low muscle mass in older adults
topic older adults
low muscle mass
sarcopenia
HALP
mortality
NHANES
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1618736/full
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