Association of Sarcopenia and Its Components with Depression Symptoms in Older Patients with Stroke

Recent studies have reported an association between sarcopenia and depression symptoms. To date, no reports have investigated the association between sarcopenia and depression symptoms evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Screening Scale (GDS)-15 in patients with stroke. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and its components and the improvement of depression symptoms in patients with stroke admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward.

Patients with stroke aged ≥65 years admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward were included in the study. Participants were categorized into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups based on the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Here, depression symptoms were evaluated using the GDS-15, in addition to demographic characteristics. This study's primary outcome was the GDS change from admission to discharge. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between GDS change and sarcopenia and its components.

Overall, 118 participants were included, with the mean age of 78.7±8.1 years, and 58 (49%) were classified in the sarcopenia group. Multiple regression analysis showed that sarcopenia (β=-0.283, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.140 to -0.283, p<0.001) and handgrip strength (β=-0.317, 95% CI -0.162 to -0.014, p=0.021) were independently associated with GDS change.

Sarcopenia and handgrip strength were significantly associated with improved depression symptoms in patients with stroke admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward. However, further prospective studies should investigate the association between sarcopenia and depression symptoms in patients with stroke.