Sarcopenia prevalence study in geriatric age group in Konya province

Objective: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that is especially seen in the elderly population and is associated with poor outcomes such as falls, difficulty in performing daily life functions, frailty and mortality. It occurs especially with loss of muscle mass, loss of muscle strength and decrease in functional capacity. The increasing elderly population causes sarcopenia to become an increasingly important public health problem. In our study, we aimed to determine the frequency of sarcopenia in the geriatric age group and to determine the relationship of sarcopenia with laboratory values used in daily practice and additional diseases. Method: A total of 40 patients over the age of 65 who applied to Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Internal Medicine Clinic between November 2022 and June 2023 were included. A healthy control group was not included in our study. Patients with advanced heart failure, advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous cerebrovascular disease, and patients diagnosed with malignancy were not included in this study. Demographic data, chronic diseases and medical treatments used by the patients were recorded. In the over 65 age group, hemoglobin, glucose, albumin, lipid panel, creatinine, urea, TSH, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels were recorded. Height and weight measurements were taken for the patients' anthropometric measurements. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing body weight by the square of height (kg/m²). In order to determine the muscle mass and bone mineral density of all patients, measurements were made with the PRIMUS DEXA device located at Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medical Faculty. Muscle strength measurements of the patients were made with a Hand Held Dynamometer. In order to evaluate the functional capacities of the patients included in the study, a 6-minute walking test was applied to the patients. Results: The average age of all patients participating in the study was 68.00 (67.00-71.50). 77.5% (n=31) of the patients were women. The average BMI of the patients was determined as 29.41 ± 4.279. The most common comorbid disease was hypertension with 77.5% (n=31). In our study, the analysis using sarcopenia criteria revealed that 60% of the patients (n=24) had sarcopenia. BMI was found to be significantly higher in the sarcopenia group. (p=0.014) In this comparison, phosphorus was also found to be significantly higher in the sarcopenia group. Total bone mineral index values were observed to be low in sarcopenic patients. The ratio of muscle volume (muscle mass) to total weight was found to be significantly lower in the sarcopenic group. (p=0.001) Sarcopenia was seen more in women than in men. (p=0.000) When those with and without osteoporosis were compared, the probability of sarcopenia was found to be significantly higher in the group diagnosed with osteoporosis. (p=0.064) It was shown that low levels of vitamin D, vitamin B12 and anemia worsened the prognosis in groups with sarcopenia. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether and how much it affected sarcopenia, using values expected to affect sarcopenia, such as patient age, BMI, albumin, creatinine, urea, phosphorus, vitamin D, ALP, B12, lumbar and femoral neck T scores. Beta=0.702, t(19) = 3.34, p=0.003, pr2 = 0.37. A 1-fold increase in the T score was observed to increase sarcopenia by 0.7 times. Conclusion: Sarcopenia is an increasingly important health problem that occurs primarily with old age, is affected by many factors, and is associated with poor outcomes. Recognizing this health problem and screening the risky population using appropriate methods have an important place in preventing the morbidity and mortality caused by sarcopenia.