Reduction in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, such as sarcopenia, have been associated with cognitive impairment. In Latin America (LATAM), evidence remains scarce, a critical gap given the region’s rapid demographic aging. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment among middle-aged and older adults in LATAM countries.

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, SciELO and sources of grey literature. The association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment (odds ratio) was pooled in a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. The quality of the methodology used in each study was evaluated using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools.

Middle-aged and older adults from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies conducted in Latin American populations.

The primary outcome was the pooled association between sarcopenia and cognitive impairment.

A total of 8 studies and 13,395 community-dwelling adults were included. The meta-analysis showed that sarcopenia was associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.68–3.15). However, the magnitude of this association varied according to definition as probable cognitive impairment (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.85–3.53, P < 0.001) and diagnosis criteria of sarcopenia by EWGSOP2 (OR = 2.96; 95% CI: 2.15–4.08, P < 0.001).

In LATAM, sarcopenia doubles the odds of cognitive impairment in adults. Future research must elucidate the inflammatory, oxidative, and mitochondrial pathways linking muscle and brain health.