Evaluation of dynapenia in the elderly in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is characterized by psychological, social, nutritional and biological changes, among which dynapenia stands out. Objective: To analyze the presence of dynapenia and associated factors in elderly people living in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 295 elderly individuals aged 60 years or older, who were users of public health units in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Dynapenia was assessed by handgrip strength, and its associations were investigated using multivariate logistic regression, according to sociodemographic variables, nutritional status, protein consumption, presence of diseases, and physical activity. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM-SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software. The adopted level of significance was p < 0.05. Results: Most of the participants were female (n = 251), with mean age of 70.6 years (± 7.0). The presence of dynapenia was observed in 24.07% (n = 71), among which 47 were women (18.73%) and 24 were men (54.55%). Observed associations concerned older age, male sex, lower circumference of the arm and calf, and lower triceps skinfold (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Approximately one-fourth of the elderly studied presented dynapenia, which represents a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. The inclusion of PPF alongside other anthropometric measures for assessing nutritional status is recommended. It is important for public policies to be directed towards health promotion and risk prevention in this age group.

Fatores relacionados à capacidade física de membros superiores e inferiores de idosos quilombolas

“…Quanto à correlação inversa entre FPM e idade, verificada neste estudo, resultado semelhante foi encontrado por Lima et al 31 em estudo realizado com adultos e idosos, o qual verificou que a idade foi fator associado a menores valores de FPM. De acordo com os autores, essa relação pode ser justificada pelo enfraquecimento da musculatura com o passar dos anos, pela diminuição da massa muscular; além fato de os idosos mais velhos do estudo serem mais inativos.…”

Anthropometric indicators as predictors of dynapenia in postmenopausal women

“…Given this context, it is observed that the prevalence of dynapenia in postmenopausal women varies between 18.7 6 and 34.4% 7 , which raises considerable health concerns, given that muscle weakness is an important factor for other outcomes that can lead to greater health problems, such as sarcopenia 8 , frailty syndrome 9 , falls, and fractures 10 . Moreover, this condition represents a higher risk of mortality, which makes it essential to monitor and assess muscle strength levels, especially throughout aging, for good health surveillance of women 11 .…”

A idade e o índice de massa corporal estão relacionados com os critérios de diagnóstico de sarcopenia em mulheres idosas?

“…The aging process can cause changes in body composition, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and bone density, as well as an increase and redistribution of body fat to the trunk and viscera. 1,2 Furthermore, the literature shows that after 70 years of age there is a decrease in body mass, 3 associated with sex, decrease in body water and muscle mass. 4 These aging-related changes associated with the lack of healthy habits, such as regular exercise and good nutrition, may lead to a probable diagnosis of sarcopenia, or even frailty, [5][6][7] considering that the reduction in the level of physical activity has already been related to advancing age 8 and, the latter, to the incidence of frailty.…”