FREQUENCY OF PRIMARY SARCOPENIA IN INSTITUTIONALIZED ADULTS OF ASUNCIÓN-PARAGUAY

Background and objectives: In old age, sarcopenia is a frequent condition, characterized by the gradual and widespread loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Older adults with sarcopenia have an unfavorable clinical prognosis and evidence suggests that older adults that are in nursing homes would have a worse prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the frequency of primary sarcopenia in older adults in nursing homes in the peri-urban area of Asunción during the month of January, 2014. Methods: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study in which we evaluated demographic characteristics, nutritional status using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) screening tool. In addition, we evaluated the presence or absence of sarcopenia according to bioimpedanciometry and muscle strength levels, based on the dynamometric grip force. Results: In 41 elderly people living in three institutions for elderly people, the average age was 73 ± 10 years. We found that mean BMI was 25.8 ± 4.4 kg/m2 and that 24% of the elderly had malnutrition (underweight), 20% overweight and 15% obese. However, according to the overall MNA score, 49% had normal nutritional status, 39% had a risk of malnutrition and 12% had malnutrition. The median Muscular Mass Index (MMI) was 7.62 kg/m2. Severe sarcopenia was observed in 54% of the elderly and this percentage was higher in men than in women. The mean right and left hand pressure force was 19.20 ± 9.53 and 18.85 ± 9.79 kg, respectively. Of the total of elderly 61% presented very bad pressure force in the left hand and 54% in the right hand. Conclusions: In older adults that are in nursing homes in the peri-urban area of Asunción, the malnutrition is frecuent, the force of hand pressure is very poor and sarcopenia affects half of the population.