Prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition

Abstract

Background There is an increasingly strong association between sarcopenia and malnutrition in research findings. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults (≥ 65 years) at risk of malnutrition based on Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 811 participants. Participants were recruited from the general population, community centers, senior activity centers, polyclinics, and hospital. Community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition participated in the study. Participants’ data and measurements were collected at the baseline visit. Data included socio-demographic information, anthropometric measurements, body composition, dietary intakes, and functional assessments. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus. Results Of the 694 participants with complete datasets, overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 76% (n = 530); 57% (n = 393) had severe sarcopenia. In the overall cohort, compared to participants without sarcopenia, those with sarcopenia were older, had lower physical activity scale for the elderly score, leg strength, handgrip endurance, mid-upper arm circumference, calf circumference, and bone mass, and had lower dietary protein intake and poorer nutritional status (all p ≤ 0.015). After adjusting for confounders, sarcopenia was significantly associated with older age, male gender, higher risk of malnutrition, lower calf circumference, and lower bone mass (all p ≤ 0.044). Conclusions In community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition, there is a high prevalence of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia. As such, screening positive for either malnutrition risk or sarcopenia in older adults should prompt screening for the other risk factor, to allow early institution of disease modifying interventions to forestall adverse outcomes for both malnutrition and sarcopenia. Trial registration The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03245047.

Prevalence of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms among older adults: a scoping review

“…Further, it was also evident in this review that the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in men than women. This corresponds to findings from studies by Yuenyongchaiwat et al 38 and Chew et al 66 Another study by Du et al 67 conducted among 631 subjects supported this statement by stating that levels of testosterone and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 levels decreased significantly in older males, which caused rapid loss of muscle mass and strength compared to their female counterparts. However, Wang et al 56 and Samper‐Ternent et al 49 from the current study reported otherwise, stating that the prevalence of sarcopenia among females was higher than in males, and there were also other studies supporting this outcome 68,69 .…”

“…83 On the other hand, being malnourished or at risk of malnutrition is also a contributing factor to sarcopenia. Chew et al 66 also reported sarcopenia to be significantly associated with a higher risk of malnutrition among 694 older people. Older people are often diagnosed with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), with physiological and psychosocial contributing factors.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia among older adults in a post-acute hospital in Singapore

“…Most global literature found a significant association between males and sarcopenia like our study although there are some studies showed an association between females and sarcopenia instead. (18, 19, 21, 22) Nonetheless, this highlights likely unique gender differences in developments of sarcopenia. (21, 58) It has been postulated that myostatin causing catabolism in males and reduced IGF-1 leading to anabolic decline in females have a role in the sex differences in sarcopenia development.…”

“…(21) Another study reported sarcopenia prevalence of 76% among community ambulant adults aged 65 and above who were at medium or high risk of malnutrition. (22) The prevalence of sarcopenia in primary care and specialist outpatient clinics ranged from 27.4% in patients aged 60-89 years old with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus using AWGS criteria, to 44% in patients aged 65 and above based on SARC-F questionnaire only. (19, 25)…”

Predictive value of anthropometric measurements in survival and free walking ability of geriatric hip fractures after surgery

“…Low AC may also relate to sarcopenia and lower bone mass, which may also contribute to the poor outcomes of hip fractures [ 12 , 13 ]. In a study focusing on community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition, there is a significant and prevalent association between sarcopenia and lower calf circumference [ 14 ].…”