Neila Barbosa Osório

Association between sarcopenia and quality of life in quilombola elderly in Brazil

Introduction Currently, there is no single consensual definition of sarcopenia in the literature. This creates a challenge for the evaluation of its prevalence and its direct or indirect impact on the quality of life of elderly populations of different races and ethnicities. Furthermore, no studies as yet have analyzed these variables in populations of elderly subjects of the “quilombola” ethnic group. Objective We aimed to verify the association between sarcopenia and quality of life in quilombola elderly using the Baumgartner and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 70 male and female participants (mean age: 65.58±6.67 years). Quality of life was evaluated using the multidimensional 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) of the Medical Outcomes Study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Baumgartner cutoff for appendicular skeletal muscle mass and the criteria recommended by the EWGSOP. Muscle mass and fat mass percentages were analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while handgrip strength (HGS) was evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer. Physical performance was assessed through a gait speed test. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 15% according to the Baumgartner cutoff and 10% according to EWGSOP criteria. Quilombola elderly classified as physically active or very active were at least six times less likely to develop sarcopenia than those classified as irregularly active or sedentary. HGS was negatively associated with a diagnosis of sarcopenia according to both sets of criteria. Subjects with sarcopenia reported lower scores than those without the condition on the physical role functioning and bodily pain domains of the SF-36. Conclusion In this sample of quilombola elderly, quality of life was negatively associated with sarcopenia, regardless of the classification criteria used. Additionally, the results showed that diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia should include reductions in lean mass in addition to measures of functioning and physical performance because some subjects showed the former symptom without any alteration of the latter two variables. The cutoff value suggested by Baumgartner criteria were less accurate than that specified by the EWGSOP criteria because they do not consider functioning and physical performance. However, Baumgartner criteria were more sensitive in detecting sarcopenia because reductions in lean mass predict alterations in strength and walking speed.

IDOSOS QUILOMBOLAS: PREVALÊNCIA DE SARCOPENIA UTILIZANDO O ALGORITMO PROPOSTO PELO EUROPEAN WORKING GROUP ON SARCOPENIA IN OLDER PEOPLE

Introduction: Sarcopenia is considered a geriatric syndrome. Currently, there is no agreed definition of sarcopenia, so it is still a challenge to establish the actual prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly in different races / ethnicities, especially in elderly quilombolas. Objective: Identify sarcopenia in the elderly living in maroon settlement using the algorithm proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 70 participants (SD 65.58 ± 6.67 years) men and women living in the Quilombo communities called Malhadinha and Córrego Fundo, located in the city of Brejinho Nazaré-Tocantins-Brazil. For the diagnosis of sarcopenia we used the recommendations proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Muscle mass was analyzed by the Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the handgrip strength by hand dynamometer. The physical performance was analyzed using the walking speed test. We used the SF-36 questionnaire to analyze the quality of life. Results: We identified a prevalence of sarcopenia of 10% in the sample. The sarcopenic individuals were classified as low handgrip strength. All individuals in the sample had adequate physical performance. Conclusions: We conclude that the identification of the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly maroons was high. The algorithm proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People had clinical applicability in the study population. Descritores: Sarcopenia; Prevalence; Aged; African Continental Ancestry Group.