The analysis of functional capacity and presence of the geriatric syndromes in geriatric individuals with and without sarcopenia

İntroduction and aim: Sarcopenia and other geriatric syndromes share common risk factors. It is important to predict which syndrome may develop in which patient and to develop individual-based prevention-treatment options. In this study, we investigated the association of sarcopenia with other geriatric syndromes. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 79 patients aged 65 years and older with sarcopenia who applied to Gaziantep University Hospital Geriatrics Department between 04.08.2022 and 01.09.2022, and 153 patients without sarcopenia matched with these patients in terms of age, sex and education. performed on a total of 232 patients. The conformity of the numerical variables to the normal distribution was tested with the Shaphiro Wilk test. Paired t-test was used for normally distributed variables and Wilcoxen test was used for non-normally distributed variables to compare two dependent measurements. Analyzes were made with the SPSS 22.0 windows version package program. P<0.05 was considered of significance. Results: The mean age of the patients was 72, 34.1% had sarcopenia, and the female-to-male ratio was 1.6. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of mean age, gender, smoking, alcohol use, living environment, marital status and education level. The exercise rate was lower in the sarcopenic group (p=0.016). Upper-middle arm circumference, gait speed, handgrip strength and SMMI values were significantly lower in the sarcopenic group than in the non-sarcopenic group (p<0.05). In the sarcopenic group, ADL, IADL, Tinetti, SMMT and MNA scores were significantly lower (p<0.05), the TUG score was significantly higher (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the number of drugs and Yesavage depression scores. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of fall risk (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that exercise has the potential to protect against sarcopenia.Geriatric syndromes such as cognitive impairment, malnutrition, dependence on activities of daily living, balance disorders and falls were more common in sarcopenic patients. Sarcopenia should not only be evaluated as a decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength, but also comprehensive geriatric evaluation should be performed in terms of other geriatric syndromes showing functional capacity. Preventing the factors responsible for controlled sarcopenia will help to increase the functional capacity of patients and reduce dependence on activities of daily living. In this respect, it would be beneficial to conduct studies showing the change in sarcopenia after the treatment of conditions such as malnutrition, dementia and fraility. Key words: sarcopenia, malnutrition, dementia, falling