Investigation of sarcopenia in the elderly in a large city in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Brazil follows the global trend of inversion of the population pyramid. This phenomenon results in the emergence of adverse conditions typical of aging, as observed in the substantial increase in the incidence and prevalence of primary sarcopenia. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a low-cost protocol to detect sarcopenia in the elderly. Methodology: This is a population-based cross-sectional study involving 162 community-dwelling elderly people (102 women). The protocol was based on the latest European Consensus on Sarcopenia (2018). The measuring instruments were grip and quadriceps femoris dynamometry, the sit and stand test, gait speed, timed up and go test, calf (CC) and abdominal (AC) circumferences, total muscle mass index (TMMI), and body mass index (BMI). Results: Of those evaluated, 57.7% were non-sarcopenic, 39.9% pre-sarcopenic and only 2.4% were sarcopenic. Furthermore, it was found that 24.5% of participants were affected by Covid-19 and, among men, BMI, TMMI and AC were higher in those infected. Elderly people who practiced physical activity showed better physical performance. When analyzed by sex, greater strength was observed among men and lower BMI and AC in women. Conclusion: A high percentage of pre-sarcopenic elderly people was found. Despite this, more than half of the participants practiced physical activity and they performed better in the functional tests. This is valuable information, as physical exercise is the main strategy for preventing and treating sarcopenia.

Key words: geriatric assessment; sarcopenia; aged; frail elderly.