Sarcopenia and Its Relationships with Depression, Cognition, and Physical Activity in Thai Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Background. Age-related sarcopenia is associated with physical decline, including poor functional capacity, lack of physical activity, problems with activities of daily living, and disability. However, little is known about the association between mental health problems and cognitive function in older adults with sarcopenia. Therefore, this study explored community-dwelling older adults’ sarcopenia prevalence and related associations with depression, cognitive performance, and physical activity. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 330 community-dwelling older adults (66.85 ± 5.54 years, 76.06% female). Based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia guidelines, gait speed, muscle mass, and handgrip were assessed. All participants responded to a set of questionnaires (e.g., Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, cognitive assessment, and depression scale). Logistic regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine independent predictors for sarcopenia. Results. Overall, 16.1% of the participants were identified as having sarcopenia. Further, advanced age (i.e., mean age ≥ 70 years; odds ratio: 4.67), high depression scores (odds ratio: 2.09), mild cognitive impairment (odds ratio: 0.22), and low physical activity levels (odds ratio: 1.96) were significant associated risk factors for sarcopenia after adjusting for age, sex, and educational level. Conclusions. Sarcopenia can lead to adverse health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, cognitive decline, and low physical activity) in older adults.

Prevalence and incidence of sarcopenia and low physical activity among community-dwelling older Thai people: a preliminary prospective cohort study 2-year follow-up

“…In Thailand, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.0%, based on the AWGS 2019 and AWGS 2014 criteria ( Therakomen, Petchlorlian & Lakananurak, 2020 ). In our study, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 16.1% according to the AWGS 2014 criteria ( Yuenyongchaiwat & Boonsinsukh, 2020 ) and 19.7% according to the AWGS 2019 criteria. Similarly, the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older people in West China was reported to be 19.3% and 22.8% according to the AWGS 2014 and AWGS 2019 criteria, respectively ( Liu et al, 2021 ).…”

Depression and low physical activity are related to sarcopenia in hemodialysis: a single-center study

“…Data from a total of 104 patients were analyzed and sarcopenia was detected in 34 patients (32.69%). This prevalence is high compared to the reported 16% overall prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly from Thailand ( Yuenyongchaiwat & Boonsinsukh, 2020 ). The results show that secondary sarcopenia has a higher prevalence rate in CRF patients than primary sarcopenia has in the older adults in Thailand.…”

Scoping review protocol on nonpharmacological interventions for possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults

“…As a result, in the absence or the ineffective ways of health education, the participants may not have a deep understanding of sarcopenia neither its harm, which may be the main reason that the effects of health education in these studies were not satisfactory. In addition, studies also shown that sarcopenia were associated with depressive mood [49][50][51][52] and bipolar disorder [53], which calls for emotional support in these areas.…”