Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass with corresponding decline in strength and/or physical function. The economic burden of sarcopenia-associated disability is considerable in the US.

To estimate the cost of hospitalizations in US adults with sarcopenia categorized by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.

A retrospective, prevalence based, economic burden study, consisting of 4011 adults aged ≥40 years with and without sarcopenia.

Data on prevalence of low lean mass, functional limitations, and hospitalizations were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2004); cost of hospitalizations was obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project — National Inpatient Sample (2014), and population estimates were obtained from the US Census (2014). Probability and cost of hospitalizations were estimated by multiple logistic regression and negative binomial regression models, respectively.

The total estimated cost of hospitalizations in individuals with sarcopenia was USD $40.4 billion with an average per person cost of USD $260. Within this category, average per person cost was highest for Hispanic women (USD $548) and lowest for Non-Hispanic Black women (USD $25); average per person cost was higher for older adults (≥65 years) (USD $375) than younger adults (40–64 years) (USD $204) with sarcopenia. The total cost of hospitalizations in individuals with sarcopenia (≥65 years) was USD $19.12 billion. Individuals with sarcopenia had greater odds of hospitalization (OR, 1.95; p<.001) compared to those without and had an annual marginal increase in cost of USD $2315.7 per person compared to individuals without sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia places considerable economic burden on the US healthcare system. The ethnic disparity and economic burden associated with sarcopenia warrant further investigation.