Effects of Sarcopenia on General Health Status in Elderly: a Population-based Study

Effects of Sarcopenia on the Fall Risk, Body Composition, General Health Status and Quality of Life in Elderly: a Population-based Study

This is a observational study, that aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia using European Wording Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) algorithm in a general elderly population in Algarve region (Portugal). Because muscle is metabolically active tissue, sarcopenia may also contribute to the development of some of the metabolic disorders associated with aging. However, the risk factors associated with sarcopenia are poorly understood. Thus, a cross-sectional survey of a sample of 274 elderly adults aged 60 or over, were included in the study. Correlations of sarcopenia with functional level, lipid and glycemic profile, nutritional and physical activity level, fall risk, quality of life, and self-reported comorbidities will be studied.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Frailty; Sarcopenia; Sarcopenic Obesity
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Sarcopenia Assessment

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 274

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Portugal
  • Algarve
    • Faro, Algarve, Portugal, 8005-139
      • Marta Botelho

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The participants of this study are people from the community of the Algarve region over 60 years old.

To proceed with the recruitment of participants, the study was disseminated through promotional materials, such as flyers and posters in senior universities, institutions/associations, municipalities and parish councils, sports complexes, among other community spaces in the Algarve region.

A non-probabilistic sampling was used. The sampling process consisted in a first phase of intentional sampling, which allowed recruiting many individuals over 60 years old who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and in a second phase the sampling process was also carried out using the snowball method.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Minimum age of 60 years;
• Live in the community;
• Independet Gait.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of moderate or severe cognitive impairment;
• Presence of uncontrolled cardiovascular disease and active cancer;
• Use of a pacemaker;
• Use of internal prosthesis.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Elderly; Group of 274 elderly	Other: Sarcopenia Assessment; The prevalence of sarcopenia in a group of elderly people and its correlation with other health variables was determined.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prevalence of Sarcopenia in elderly population	Determine the prevalence of sarcopenia using European Wording Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) algorithm in a general elderly population in Algarve region.	0 Months
Quality of life in elderly population	Quality of life was assessed at one time point only (due to the nature of the cross-sectional study design) using the subscore and total score of Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey instrument. Instrument scores can range between 0 - 100. Higher values mean better self-perception of quality of life.	0 Months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postural Stability in elderly population	Postural stability was assessed by a force platform using the length displacement of center of pressure.	0 Months
Handgrip strength (HGS)	HGS was measured with the handgrip Dynamometer Lafayette Digital 5030D1 in both upper limbs.	0 Months
Cognitive Assessment	Cognitive Assessment was assessed by the instrument Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Instrument with a maximum score of 30 points, where higher scores mean better cognitive performance.	0 Months
Body mass index (kg/m2) - body composition	Body mass index (kg/m2) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Fat Mass (kg and %) - body composition	Fat Mass (kg and %) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Fat-Free Mass (kg and %) - body composition	Fat-Free Mass (kg and %) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Fat Mass Index (kg/m2) - body composition	Fat Mass Index (kg/m2) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Fat-Free Mass Index (kg/m2) - body composition	Fat-Free Mass Index (kg/m2) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Muscle Mass Index (kg/m2) - body composition	Muscle Mass Index (kg/m2) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Total body water (L and %) - body composition	Total body water (L and %) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Resistence (Ohms) - body composition	Resistence (Ohms) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Reactance (Ohms) - body composition	Reactance (Ohms) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Phase angle (angle) - body composition	Phase angle was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
Visceral fat (L) - body composition	Visceral fat (L) was measured using the bioimpedance technique.	0 Months
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (mg/dL) - Lipid Profile	High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (mg/dL) was measured taking a sample blood which was analysed by the COBAS b 101 system.	0 Months
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (mg/dL) - Lipid Profile	Low-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (mg/dL) was measured taking a sample blood which was analysed by the COBAS b 101 system.	0 Months
Triglycerides (mg/dL) - Lipid Profile	Triglycerides (mg/dL) was measured taking a sample blood which was analysed by the COBAS b 101 system.	0 Months
Total cholesterol (mg/dL) - Lipid Profile	Total cholesterol (mg/dL) was measured taking a sample blood which was analysed by the COBAS b 101 system.	0 Months
Glicemic Profile in elderly	Glicemic Profile was measured by COBAS b 101 system, taking a sample blood which was analysed for Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c).	0 Months
Inflammatory levels in elderly population	Inflammatory levels was measured by COBAS b 101 system, taking a sample blood which was analysed for C-reactive protein - CRP.	0 Months
Nutritional level in elderly population	Nutrional level was assessed at one time point only (due to the nature of the cross-sectional study design) using a questionnaire Mini Nutritional Assessment. Instrument scores can range between 0 - 30. The cutoff points used were: 0-7 points - malnourished; 8-11 points - at risk of malnutrition; 12-24 points - normal nutritional status.	0 Months
Peak Torque (N/m) of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles	Peak Torque of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by afixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.	0 Months
Work (N/m) of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles	Work of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by afixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.	0 Months
Power (N/m) of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles	Power of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by afixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.	0 Months
Peak torque time (s) of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles	Peak torque time of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by afixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.	0 Months
Force (kg) of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles	Force of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by afixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.	0 Months
Time up and Go (TUG) test - Fall risk in elderly population	TUG test measures (in seconds) the time a person needs to rise from a chair with armrests, to walk the distance of 3 m with usual assistive devices, if necessary, turn, return to the chair, and sit down. TUG test is a composite measure of functional mobility. It includes transfer tasks (standing up and sitting down), walking, and turning, thus incorporating neuromuscular components such as power, agility, and balance. Faster test completion signals better dexterity and functional state, whereas the score of ≥13.5 was used as a cut-off point to identify the elderly individuals who are at risk for falls in community dwelling.	0 Months
Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) - Fall risk in elderly population	The Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) consists of 14 items to be subjectively evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 in terms of confidence in the ability of a person to perform daily indoor and outdoor activities without falling. Higher values represent less risk of falling.	0 Months
Physical Activity level in elderly population	Physical activity level was assessed at one time point only (due to the nature of the cross-sectional study design) using the questionnaire PASE - Physical Activity Scale for Elderly. The PASE measures the level of self-reported physical activity in individuals aged 65 years or older and is comprised of items regarding occupational, household, and leisure activities during the previous 7-day period. It was used frequency, duration, and intensity level of activity over the previous week to assign a score, ranging from 0 to 793, with higher scores indicating greater physical activity.	0 Months
Pain associated with osteoarthritis	Pain associated with osteoarthritis was mesured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index) - subscore pain. This instrument is widely used in the evaluation of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items divided into 3 subscales: Pain (5 items), Stiffness (2 items), and Physical Function (17 items). The test questions are scored on a scale of 0-4, which correspond to: None (0), Mild (1), Moderate (2), Severe (3), and Extreme (4). The scores for each subscale are summed up, with a possible score range of 0-20 for Pain, 0-8 for Stiffness, and 0-68 for Physical Function. Higher scores indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	0 Months
Stiffness associated with osteoarthritis	Pain associated with osteoarthritis was mesured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index) - subscore pain. This instrument is widely used in the evaluation of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items divided into 3 subscales: Pain (5 items), Stiffness (2 items), and Physical Function (17 items). The test questions are scored on a scale of 0-4, which correspond to: None (0), Mild (1), Moderate (2), Severe (3), and Extreme (4). The scores for each subscale are summed up, with a possible score range of 0-20 for Pain, 0-8 for Stiffness, and 0-68 for Physical Function. Higher scores indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	0 Months
Physical Function associated with osteoarthritis	Pain associated with osteoarthritis was mesured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC Index) - subscore pain. This instrument is widely used in the evaluation of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items divided into 3 subscales: Pain (5 items), Stiffness (2 items), and Physical Function (17 items). The test questions are scored on a scale of 0-4, which correspond to: None (0), Mild (1), Moderate (2), Severe (3), and Extreme (4). The scores for each subscale are summed up, with a possible score range of 0-20 for Pain, 0-8 for Stiffness, and 0-68 for Physical Function. Higher scores indicate worse pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.	0 Months
Functional Level of Lower Limbs	To assess the functionality of the lower limbs, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) instrument was applied. The lower extremity functional scale is a valid patient-rated outcome measure for the measurement of lower extremity function. The score can vary between 0 and 80, with higher values representing better functionality.	0 Months
Identifies the concerns and priorities of older people	Following the World Health Organisation, the "Integrated care for older people" (ICOPE) guidelines, each assessment with Age Care Technologies (ACT) Assessment generates a report which lists identifies concerns and priorities for action, together with several summary scores to measure needs, risks and outcomes, including: Quality of life, Falls risk, Vision, Hearing, Activities of Daily Living, Nutrition, Locomotor, Oral Health, Accommodation, Finances, Cognition, Depression, Loneliness, Social participation, and Violence against older people.	0 Months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidade do Algarve
• Collaborators: European Regional Development Fund
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sandra R Pais, PhD, Universidade do Algarve

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 14, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 20, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): February 20, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 15, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 15, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): June 26, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 14, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 9, 2023
• Last Verified: August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of Life; Aging; Body Composition; Sarcopenia; Muscle Strength; Frailty; Postural Balance; Falls
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Frailty; Sarcopenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0348_CIE_6_E_2

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No