Sarcopenia in community-dwelling persons over 60 years of age from a northern spanish city: relationship between diagnostic criteria and association with the functional performance.
BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia is a recognized problem in older people. Currently, its diagnosis goes beyond a simple loss of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sarcopenia, defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), in independent persons over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city. In addition, this study compared the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia and assessed the differences in functional performance according to them.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out on 258 members of community centers of both genders. Body composition was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Appendicular lean mass index (App LMI), hand grip strength (HGS), and 8 foot up-and-go test (8f-UG) were used to diagnose sarcopenia.


RESULTS
The frequency of sarcopenia was 2.4% (n=6). In women, the App LMI was correlated with HGS (r= 0.164, p<0.05) and 8f–UG (r= -0.167, p<0.05), while in men, the App LMI was correlated with HGS (r=0.241, p<0.05) but not with 8f–UG (r= -0.173, p=0.117). The subjects with low HGS and low performance in the 8f–UG presented lower values in other functional outcomes than people with low App LMI (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Using the EWGSOP definition, the frequency of sarcopenia was low in a group of individuals over 60 years of age from a northern Spanish city. In clinical practice, greater emphasis should be placed on the decrease in muscle strength and functional performance rather than on low muscle mass alone.
Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED). Universidad de León. España. Instituto Universitario de Educación Física. Universidad de Antioquia. Colombia.. fredpa18@hotmail.com.
Fredy Alonso
FA
Patiño Villada
Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED). Universidad de León. España. Departamento de Educación Física y Deporte. Universidad del Valle. Colombia.. santiago.arboleda@correounivalle.edu.co.
Santiago Adolfo
SA
Arboleda Franco
Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED). Universidad de León. España.. japazf@unileon.es.
José Antonio
JA
de Paz Fernández
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data