PD023 - PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF PROBABLE SARCOPENIA IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: A PUBLIC SETTING ANALYSIS

PD023

PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF PROBABLE SARCOPENIA IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: A PUBLIC SETTING ANALYSIS

S. Salinas^1,2, A. L. N. Martinuzzi^3,*, R. Zunino¹, P. Beauvallet Bazze¹, S. Idbetan¹, E. Gonzalez del Cerro¹, M. Jaime¹

¹UCEL, Rosario, ²FRESENIUS KABI, ³NUTRIHOME SA, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina

Rationale: Sarcopenia and malnutrition significantly impact aging populations. This study assessed the prevalence of nutritional risk and probable sarcopenia in active community-dwelling older adults and identified independent predictors for the condition.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 103 self-sufficient older adults (≥ 65 years) in Rosario, Argentina. Assessments included MNA-SF, SARC-F, and handgrip strength (HGS) via dynamometry (EWGSOP2 cut-offs). Binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of probable sarcopenia.

Results: A total of 103 cases were analyzed (67.0% female; age 73.3+/- 6.2 years). 73.5% reported high levels of physical activity, 47.6% had two or more comorbidities. Nutritional risk was present in 31.1% of participants. Probable sarcopenia was identified in 23.3%, while SARC-F only identified 3.9% (n=4) at risk. The multivariable logistic regression model (see figure 1) identified two significant independent predictors: Each additional year increased the odds of probable sarcopenia by 12.1%, and higher activity levels acted as a protective factor, reducing the risk of probable sarcopenia by 58.2%. Sex, nutritional risk (MNA-SF), and comorbidities were not significant predictors in the final model.

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Conclusion: Probable sarcopenia is highly prevalent (23.3%) among active, community-dwelling older adults, whereas self-reported screening tools (SARC-F) significantly underestimate the condition. Advanced age and low physical activity are the primary drivers of muscle strength loss in this population. These findings emphasize that physical activity is the most potent modifiable factor for prevention, and objective strength measurements should be prioritized over subjective questionnaires in active populations.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared