Sarcopenia prevalence and association with nutritional status in cohort of elderly patients affected by musculoskeletal concerns: a real-life analysis

Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1194676 · Published: June 26, 2023

Simple Explanation

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function that occurs as people age. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients over 65 with musculoskeletal conditions. The study also looked at the relationship between sarcopenia and nutritional status, as well as Body Mass Index (BMI) in elderly subjects suffering from musculoskeletal concerns. Quality of life and global health were also investigated. The findings suggest that elderly subjects with musculoskeletal concerns are highly susceptible to sarcopenia, highlighting the need for customized and multidisciplinary rehabilitation approaches.

Study Duration

January 2019 to January 2021

Participants

247 patients over 65 years old with musculoskeletal concerns

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study found that 46.1% of the subjects had overt sarcopenia, and 10.1% had severe sarcopenia. Patients with severe sarcopenia had significantly lower BMI and MNA values.
2
Sarcopenic patients showed significantly lower values in MNA compared to non-sarcopenic patients, indicating a link between sarcopenia and nutritional status.
3
Severe sarcopenic patients had significantly lower arm and calf circumference values, suggesting these measurements could aid in sarcopenia detection.

Research Summary

This study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with nutritional status in elderly patients with musculoskeletal concerns. The results showed a high prevalence of sarcopenia in this population. Patients with severe sarcopenia had lower BMI, MNA scores, and arm/calf circumference, indicating a strong relationship between sarcopenia, malnutrition, and anthropometric measurements. The study emphasizes the need for customized, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs that address both musculoskeletal conditions and the nutritional needs associated with sarcopenia.

Practical Implications

Customized Rehabilitation Programs

Rehabilitation programs for elderly patients with musculoskeletal issues should be customized and multidisciplinary, addressing both the musculoskeletal condition and sarcopenia.

Early Sarcopenia Detection

User-friendly screening tools, such as MUAC and CC measurements, should be used to identify individuals at risk of developing sarcopenia.

Nutritional Assessment

Nutritional assessment should be part of the screening process, as early detection of malnutrition can lead to interventions that improve nutritional status and quality of life.

Study Limitations

1
Potential for selection bias due to the participant selection process.
2
Limited generalizability of the findings due to the nature of observational studies.
3
Unmeasured or unknown factors may influence the relationship between the variables under investigation.

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