Research Article

Sarcopenia prevalence and the quality of life in older adults: A study from Turkey’s east

April 19, 2021
  • Mehmet Efe *
  • Zeliha Fulden Saraç
  • Sumru Savaş
  • Aslı Kılavuz
  • Selahattin Fehmi Akçiçek
TR EN

Sarcopenia prevalence and the quality of life in older adults: A study from Turkey’s east

Abstract

Aim: Sarcopenia as a geriatric syndrome decreases quality of life and increases functional dependency, hospitalization and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in Muş province and to examine its effects on quality of life. Materials and Methods: In this study we have interviewed 371 community-dwelling older adults. A total of 186 older adults from the rural area and 185 older adults from Muş city center were enrolled in the study. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews conducted in the participants’ homes by trained researchers. The presence of sarcopenia, socio-demographic characteristics (place of residence, gender, age), presence of chronic diseases, polypharmacy, body mass index, and quality of life with Short Form-36 were determined. Muscle mass, handgrip strength and gait speed were determined for defining sarcopenia. Results: The mean age of participants was 72.3 ± 6.8 years (65-100) and 46.1% of them were females. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 11.8% among older people residing in the rural area whereas the prevalence was 21.6% among older individuals living in the city center (p = 0.012). Sarcopenic patients were older, more underweight, hypertensive, and had lower calf circumference, gait speed, and grip strength in males than non-sarcopenic patients (p <0.0001, p <0.0001, p = 0.005, p <0.0001, p = 0.001, p <0.0001, respectively). There were important distinction between sarcopenic individuals and non-sarcopenic individuals in terms of physical function, physical role weakness and emotional role weakness (p = 0.021, p = 0.006 and p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: Sarcopenia is very common among older adults, especially in the city center, and the presence of sarcopenia has detrimental effects on the quality of life.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Efe *
0000-0002-8337-2584
Türkiye

Zeliha Fulden Saraç
0000-0001-9281-2492
Türkiye

Sumru Savaş
0000-0003-4836-3786
Türkiye

Aslı Kılavuz
0000-0002-0474-9911
Türkiye

Selahattin Fehmi Akçiçek
0000-0003-2583-4709
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 19, 2021

Submission Date

January 18, 2021

Acceptance Date

March 15, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021

Vancouver
1.Mehmet Efe, Zeliha Fulden Saraç, Sumru Savaş, Aslı Kılavuz, Selahattin Fehmi Akçiçek. Sarcopenia prevalence and the quality of life in older adults: A study from Turkey’s east. EJM. 2021 Apr. 1;52-9. doi:10.19161/etd.915678

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