Sarcopenia risk and affecting factors in 65-79 years-old living in a district of İzmir, Turkey

Introduction and Aim Sarcopenia, which was defined by Rosenberg in 1988 and acknowledged as a geriatric syndrome today can predict adverse health outcomes in elder and evidence suggests that it can be prevented. Measurement of muscle mass is required for diagnosis of sarcopenia for individual at risk. But prior steps in diagnosis includes muscle function and strength which are strong predictors of adverse health outcomes. Therefore deficiencies in muscle function and strength can be defined as sarcopenia risk. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of low gait speed, low grip strength, both low gait speed and low grip strength and sarcopenia risk according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia for Older People (EWGSOP) algorithm and related factors of these risks in community-dwelling 65-79 years-old individuals in Balcova district, Izmir. Methods The study universe of this analytic cross-sectional study is community-dwelling 65-79 years old people who are living in Balcova district in 2014. No previous prevalence data exists in literature so minimum study sample calculated for unknown prevalence. The calculated minimum sample size was 483 individuals with cluster sampling meyhod. 254 of these (%52.6) agreed to participate. The assessment was made at the individuals home or if desired work-place. The assessment was made by either an author or physiotherapy undergraduate students. As the dependent variable sarcopenia risk was defined as low gait speed, low grip strength, both having low gait speed and low grip strength and sarcopenia risk according to European Working Group on Sarcoepnia for Older People (EWGSOP). Independent variables were consisting of socio-demographic, socio-economic, health behaviour and health status characteristics. For categorical variables frequencies and percentage distribution, for continuous variables mean, median and standart deviations were determined. Chi-square test was used in univariate analysis to test significance. Logistic regression model were performed for each sarcopenia risk with variables which were found to be significant in univariate analysis. P value lower than 0.05 was accepted level for significance. Results %45.0 of the participants had low gait speed, %49.8 had low grip strength, %30.1 had both low gait speed and low grip strength, %64.4 had sarcopenia risk. Main associated factors of these risks precence was older age, being women, less education level, less physical activity and having malnutrition. Increasing age group and physical exercise category, being woman, being primary education graduate or lower levels of education, having more than 2 chronic conditions were significantly associated with having sarcopenia risk. In multivariable analysis 1 year increase in age and being sedentary or under-active relative to active or under-active regular was significant predictors of all four sarcopenia risk. Conclusion This study found that sarcopenia risk is common among participants, increasing age and lower levels of physical activity is significantly associated with sarcopenia risk. For primary and secondary prevention of sarcopenia risk interventions should be targeted to increase physical activity levels.