PD1016 - MALNUTRITION, SARCOPENIA AND SARCOPENIC OBESITY IN OLDER ADULTS: HIDDEN BURDEN IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS

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PD1016

MALNUTRITION, SARCOPENIA AND SARCOPENIC OBESITY IN OLDER ADULTS: HIDDEN BURDEN IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS

S. Santero1,*, N. Madini1, F. Bolpagni1, S. Boussetta1, G. Biino2, C. Ricciardi Rizzo1, G. Viroli1, A. Vincenti1, A. Beretta1, F. Magri3,4, F. Coperchini4, P. De Cata5, A. Di Sabatino6,7, A. G. Falchi5, I. Ferrari5, A. Marchese5, M. V. Lenti6,7, F. Lepore6,7, F. Mordà6,7, M. Delliponti6,7, M. E. Paladino8,9, M. A. Riva8,9, H. Cena1,10

1Laboratory of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 2Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council of Italy, 3Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 4Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 5Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine, 6Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 7First Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, 8School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 9Department of Occupational Health, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, 10Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Clinical Nutrition, Pavia, Italy

 

Rationale: Population ageing is associated with a higher burden of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity. However, data in Italian hospital settings are limited; thus, this cross-sectional study assessed their prevalence and associated factors in older adults in two hospital settings in Pavia, Italy.

Methods: Inpatients and outpatients (≥65 years) were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included dysphagia, terminal illness, gastric bypass, eating disorders, advanced liver failure, renal or lung failure, active cancer, and cognitive decline. Social, clinical, and lifestyle variables were collected, including comorbidities, anthropometry and body composition, handgrip and gait speed. Malnutrition risk (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool), malnutrition, sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome were assessed according to international guidelines. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent associations.

Results: A total of 303 patients were enrolled. 33.9% and 24.6% were at medium and high risk of malnutrition, respectively. Malnutrition prevalence was 39.9%, with 36.3% in inpatients and 3.6% in outpatients; notably, 13.2% of malnourished individuals had overweight or obesity. Probable sarcopenia was observed in 42.6% of participants, while 30.9% met the criteria for sarcopenia (27.5% in inpatients and 3.4% in outpatients). 21.5% of patients had sarcopenic obesity, with 18.8% in inpatients and 2.6% in outpatients. 60.1% of the participants had metabolic syndrome. Female sex, age, severity index of the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, Barthel index, quality of life for the physical component, and adherence to Mediterranean diet emerged as associated with malnutrition and/or sarcopenia. 

Conclusion: These findings highlight a hidden clinical burden, supporting systematic screening and integrated care strategies, even among patients with excess body weight.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared