Prevalence of sarcopenia among hospitalized internal medicine patients: A cross-sectional single-center pilot study according to EWGSOP2 criteria

Sarcopenia in geriatric psychiatry: feasibility of the diagnostic process and estimation of prevalence within a hospital context

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is an age-related progressive and general skeletal muscle disease associated with negative consequences such as falls, disability, and mortality. An early-stage diagnosis is important to enable adequate treatment, especially in geriatric psychiatry. However, there presently is little information about the feasibility of diagnostic procedures and the prevalence of sarcopenia in clinical geriatric psychiatry settings. The aim of this study is to implement a diagnostic process for sarcopenia in a geriatric psychiatry hospital, to investigate its feasibility and to analyse the prevalence rates.

METHODS

A single-centre cross-sectional study over 3 months was conducted in a geriatric psychiatry hospital. All admitted patients with a diagnosis of dementia, depression, or delirium were screened regarding the clinical impression of frailty and sarcopenia according to the current diagnostic algorithm of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2).

RESULTS

We found that short physical performance tests, such as the handgrip strength testing (91%) or 4 m walking test (91%), were applicable in our sample. The original standardized instructions of longer tests could not be performed appropriately, for example, in the five-times-sit-to-stand-test (32%), the timed-up-and-go-test (68%), and the 400 m walking test (38%). Muscle mass measurements using bioelectric impedance analysis were feasible in all patients (100%). The analysis revealed an estimated prevalence rate for sarcopenia of 65% for patients suffering from dementia and 36% for patients suffering from depression. In our final analysis, 15 patients suffering from dementia, 19 suffering from depression, and no patient suffering from delirium were included [22 female (64.7%) and twelve male (35.3%) patients]. The patients were on average 78.9 ± 7.7 years old, with the youngest patient being 61 years old and the oldest patient 93 years old. Out of the total sample, 14 patients suffering from dementia and eight patients suffering from depression were diagnosed with a severe stage of sarcopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

The EWGSOP2 algorithm seems to be applicable in the clinical routine of a geriatric psychiatry hospital. The high estimated prevalence rates of sarcopenia highlight the need for an early and comprehensive screening for sarcopenia in geriatric psychiatry.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sarcopenia among Older Adults Aged ≥65 Years Admitted to Daycare Centers of Taiwan: Using AWGS 2019 Guidelines

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome which is likely to cause disability, body unbalance, and mortality and thus can lead to heavy healthcare expenditure and caregiver burden. Although some studies have addressed the prevalence of sarcopenia for older adults, there are limited studies conducted in daycare centers. The present study aimed to (i) estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and (ii) explore associated factors of sarcopenia and standing balance among older adults admitted to daycare centers in Taiwan. The cross-sectional study collected data on demographics, health status, handgrip strength, gait speed (GS), skeletal muscle mass, Taiwan-Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (TW-MNA-SF), and Short Physical Performance Battery from daycare centers in northern Taiwan. The definition of sarcopenia followed the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 guidelines. Among 173 participants ≥65 year-old, 50.9% had confirmed sarcopenia, 47.4% possible sarcopenia, and 1.7% normal. Results showed that calf circumference, TW-MNA-SF, dementia, and body mass index (BMI) were associated with sarcopenia. Moreover, BMI, GS, and sarcopenia were associated factors of standing balance. The study estimated a high prevalence of sarcopenia in daycare centers and identified some significant factors of sarcopenia and standing balance. Early nutritional and physiotherapy interventions could benefit older adults to prevent sarcopenia or unbalance.

Sarcopenia in hospitalized geriatric patients: insights into prevalence and associated parameters using new EWGSOP2 guidelines

Background

Data on prevalence of sarcopenia and its associated parameters in hospitalized geriatric patients are heterogeneous due to various definitions of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia using latest recommendations of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), and to investigate associated parameters in patients admitted to acute geriatrics and geriatric rehabilitation.

Methods

In this cross-sectional single-centre study including 305 hospitalized geriatric patients, handgrip strength (pneumatic hand dynamometer) and muscle quantity (body impedance analysis) were assessed. Probable sarcopenia was defined by low handgrip strength, and the diagnosis was confirmed when both handgrip strength and muscle quantity were below cut-off points. Furthermore, parameters of the geriatric baseline examination were analyzed for association with probable and confirmed sarcopenia using logistic regression models.

Results

Median age of the study population was 84.0 years, and 65.6% were female. The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 24.6% (CI 19.8–29.4%), and the prevalence of confirmed sarcopenia was 22.6% (CI 17.9–27.3%). Low calf circumference, low body mass index, cognitive impairment and an increased risk of malnutrition were found to be associated with confirmed sarcopenia. In contrast, only cognitive impairment was positively associated with probable sarcopenia.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in geriatric inpatients, and multiple parameters were found to be associated with the disease. To reduce negative clinical outcomes, our findings support the need for routinely performed admission examinations for prompt diagnosis of sarcopenia, and a timely start of treatment in hospitalized geriatric patients.