Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (Mar 2023)

Prevalence of characteristics associated with sarcopenia in elders: a cross-sectional study

  • Caroline Ribeiro de Sousa,
  • Janaína Fonseca Victor Coutinho,
  • Marília Braga Marques,
  • Rachel Gabriel Bastos Barbosa,
  • Jarbas de Sá Roriz Filho,
  • Edson Silva Soares,
  • Charlys Barbosa Nogueira,
  • Rodrigo Lopes de Paula Souza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0209
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 76, no. 2

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify the prevalence and characteristics associated with sarcopenia in elders in Primary Health Care Units. Methods: cross-sectional study with 384 elders. To evaluate sarcopenia, we measured: strength and muscle mass, and physical performance. The elderly were classified as having: probable sarcopenia; sarcopenia; or severe sarcopenia. The chi-squared test and the multinomial logistic regression method were used. Results: the prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 25.52%; of sarcopenia, 11.98%; and of severe sarcopenia, 9.90%. Probable sarcopenia is 1.75 times more prevalent in men; osteoporosis is 2.16 times more prevalent in people with severe sarcopenia; polypharmacy is 1.57 times more likely in individuals with probable sarcopenia; and calf circumference below 31 cm is 2.24 times more likely in patients with sarcopenia and 2.19 times more likely in patients with severe sarcopenia. Conclusions: the highest prevalence was of probable sarcopenia, and the characteristics associated with sarcopenia were sex, osteoporosis, polypharmacy, overweight, obesity, and calf circumference.

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