Primary Sarcopenia in Older People with Normal Nutrition.

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Nutritional Science
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, is a significant concern in aging populations.
• While often associated with malnutrition, primary sarcopenia can occur in individuals with adequate nutritional intake.
• Understanding sarcopenia's prevalence and associated factors in well-nourished older adults is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of primary sarcopenia in older patients with normal nutrition.
• To examine the relationship between primary sarcopenia and anthropometric measurements in this population.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated 214 older patients (mean age 71.8 years) from a Geriatrics Polyclinic.
• Patients with potential secondary sarcopenia were excluded.
• Sarcopenia was assessed using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, with data including age, gender, BMI, and waist/calf circumference.

Main Results:

• Sarcopenia was detected in 49% of the participants (105 out of 214).
• The incidence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in females (p<0.001) and in individuals with a BMI over 30 kg/m2 (p=0.01).
• Higher waist circumference was also associated with sarcopenia (p=0.02), while age, height, weight, and calf circumference showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Primary sarcopenia is prevalent in older adults, even those with normal nutrition.
• Obesity (BMI > 30) and higher waist circumference are associated with an increased incidence of sarcopenia.
• Further comprehensive investigation into sarcopenia is warranted, especially in obese older individuals receiving adequate nutrition.