| dc.description.abstract | Objective: Sarcopenia is a common aging-induced generalized decrease
in muscle mass, strength, and function. Owing to the impact of sarcopenia
on quality of life (QoL), disability and mortality, awareness is necessary
in order to correctly identify sarcopenic elderly and the related risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sarcopenia
by SARC-F screening test and to estimate the association between
sarcopenia and QoL and risk factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter study with older adults
aged 60 years or older, was conducted in Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation outpatient clinics of 7 health centers from October
2019 to January 2020. Demographic properties comprising age,
gender, BMI, comorbid diseases and drug usage were recorded.
Muscle strength, and physical performance were measured by
handgrip strength and 4m-gait speed tests respectively. Mini
Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used for nutritional status
and sarcopenia quality of life questionnaire (SARQOL) was used
for QoL. SARC-F test with cut-off point of 4 was used for the
diagnosis of sarcopenia. The relationships with QoL, sarcopenia
and risk factors were evaluated.
Results: A total of 153 (106 female, 47 male) elderly with a
mean age of 71.8 ± 5.9 y were included. According to SARC-F
criteria, the frequency of sarcopenia was determined as 37%. The
mean age, BMI, number of comorbid diseases and drugs were
significantly higher in sarcopenic group than in nonsarcopenic
elderly. The scores of SARQOL, MNA and gait speed were lower
indicating impaired QoL, malnutrition and functional disability in
sarcopenic elderly than in non-sarcopenic participants (p<0.001).
The most related risk factors with sarcopenia were recorded as
nutritional status, number of drugs, gait speed and BMI.
Conclusion: The frequency of sarcopenia screened by SARC-F
was higher than expected in our study group. Mostly QoL, malnutrition, drugs for comorbidity, functional disability and obesity
were related with sarcopenia. These findings highlight the relevance of the detection of sarcopenia and QoL in elderly as a part
of routine clinical practice in order to impede progression towards
disability and other adverse health outcomes. | en_US |
