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Risk Factors Associated with Sarcopenia Among Independently Mobile, Institutionalised Older People in the Klang
Sook Fan Yap1, Nem Yun Boo2, Divakara Shenoy Pramod3
1Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia.
Background:
Studies on sarcopenia among Malaysian older people (OP ≥ 60 years of age) living in the community but not in long-term care (LTC) homes have been reported previously. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its risk factors in OP in Malaysian LTC homes.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 independently mobile OP (males 32%) in seven LTC homes in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. Trained personnel measured their anthropometrics, body composition, gait speed, hand grip strength and timed up-and-go (TUG) duration. Criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia were used to identify the presence of sarcopenia. The mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) was used to determine their nutritional status. Additionally, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors associated with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia.
Results:
Pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia was detected in 103 (51%) OP. The significant risk factors were body mass index (BMI, weight/height2; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.44, P < 0.001), percentage of body fat (PBF; AOR = 1.26, P < 0.001), age group (≥ 80 years; AOR = 3.63, P = 0.025) and 'at risk of malnutrition' status (AOR = 2.63, P = 0.049).
Conclusion:
Sarcopenia is common among OP in LCT homes. The risk increases with decreasing BMI, increasing PBF, age ≥ 80 years and suboptimal nutrition status.
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