Prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly of a medium-sized South American city: results of theCOMO VAI? study

Abstract

BackgroundThere is insufficient data concerning sarcopenia prevalence in South America. The aim of this study was to estimate sarcopenia prevalence and its clinical subgroups in a Southern Brazilian city.MethodsA cross‐sectional population‐based study was performed among community‐dwelling elderly aged 60 years or over. Subjects were evaluated according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People established criteria. Muscle mass was estimated by calf circumference (CC). Cut‐off CC points were defined by a subsample's dual X‐ray absorptiometry estimation of the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), which was subsequently compared with the values of a young adult population from the same city. Muscle strength was measured by manual dynamometry. Muscle performance was assessed through the 4 m gait speed test.ResultsThe three diagnostic tests were performed in 1291 subjects. CC of ≤34 cm (males) and ≤33 cm (females) were defined as indicatives of low ASMI. The overall sarcopenia prevalence was 13.9% (CI95% 12.0; 15.8%). Its frequency was significantly higher among elderly with low schooling, without a partner, with low socioeconomic status, smokers, inactive, and with low body mass index. A higher prevalence of pre‐sarcopenia was found in the youngest elderly; a higher prevalence of the clinical stages of the syndrome was found in older age groups.ConclusionsApproximately one in ten elderly aged 60–69 years was in the preclinical stage of the disease. This is the age group in which public policies should focus to establish early diagnosis and prevent clinical progression of the syndrome.

Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons

“…The prevalence found in this study was similar to other studies, including research in Brazil 2,10 . Using sensitive tests for the early diagnosis of a clinical disease or syndrome is of fundamental importance, as it allows patients who could benefit from a confirmatory diagnostic evaluation and specific early intervention to be identified.…”

Calf circumference: clinical validation for evaluation of muscle mass in the elderly

“…Although the results demonstrate that CC has a good ability to predict muscle mass decrease, the different cutoff points available in the literature -31 cm to 35 cm in women (27)(28)(29)(30)(31) ; 33 cm to 34 cm in men (28)(29)(30)(31) -hinder clinical judgment and therapeutic decision making by the professional in clinical practice.…”

“…Among them, calf circumference (CC) (19) has been used in recent studies with the objective of measuring muscle mass and estimating the prevalence of sarcopenia (20)(21)(22) , predicting disability (23)(24) , mortality (24)(25) and need for care (26) , as well as for determining cut-off points of decreased muscle mass in the elderly population (27)(28)(29)(30)(31) .…”

Análise de métodos para detectar sarcopenia em idosas independentes da comunidade

“…6 Until now, only two studies have addressed the profile of sarcopenia in Brazil, although neither compared diagnostic methods. 7,8 Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the presence of sarcopenia in healthy communitydwelling elderly women using combinations of different methods to assess muscle mass and physical performance, as well as to determine if there was concordance between the combinations in relation to the definition of sarcopenia.…”