[Impact of sarcopenia risk on the functionality of older adults after emergency surgery]

In the last decades, the growth of the global elderly population has multiplied their needs for care and, therefore, surgical attention. It is important to determine the impact of sarcopenia on the development of functional decline following a surgical procedure. Identifying vulnerable patients helps in setting realistic recovery expectations and early care planning, which is why these should be considered an integral part of care to implement patient-centered interventions.

To determine the association between sarcopenia risk and functional decline 90 days after discharge in general surgery patients aged 65 years or older who underwent emergency abdominal surgery.

Prospective cohort study of patients aged 65 years or older, hospitalized with and without sarcopenia in the La Raza Medical National Center's General Surgery Department between 2024 and 2025, who underwent urgent abdominal surgery. The study aimed to assess the patient's functional status at home 90 days after discharge via a telephone call.

A total of 51 patients were included. It was observed that sarcopenia risk is a significant predictor of low functionality (Barthel) at 3 months: R2 = 0.75.

Sarcopenia risk in older adults contributes to the decline in their functional recovery following emergency surgery.