Sarcopenia Versus Dynapenia: Functional Performance and Physical Disability in Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The magnitude of “Sarcopenia” and “Dynapenia” as a public health problem is not well established, nor is the relationship of declines strength and muscle mass to physical disability and/or loss of mobility. Objectives: Test the hypothesis that the elderly with sarcopenia are more likely to physical disability than are those with dynapenia. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting/Participants: A total of 387 older adults (≥65 years old) from the FIBRA Study in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Measurements: Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), which includes the presence of low muscle mass, plus low muscle strength or low physical performance. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength <30kgf (men) and <20kgf (women). Data relating to socio-demographic, behavioral, health conditions, physical disability, the level of physical activity, body composition, hand grip strength and the Short Physical Performance Battery were collected. Results: Regarding the loss of mobility, sarcopenia was associated with age ≥75 years, female, sedentary lifestyle, stroke, arthritis, and falls (OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.07 – 8.09); with no association for physical disability in BADL and IADL. Dynapenia had no association with loss of mobility; however, for disability in BADL and IADL, it was associated with the elderly aged ≥80 years old and arthritis (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.42 – 3.88). Conclusion: Dynapenia is more sensitive to the prevention of future self-reported physical disability, in comparison to sarcopenia which can be used in clinical practice as a screening tool for the early decline in mobility.