Análise de diferentes preditores antropométricos, clínicos e sociais na sarcopenia: impactos na relação saúde-doença e no cuidado ao idoso

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and widespread loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, compromising quality of life, increasing the risk of falls, functional decline, frailty, and mortality. Objective: To analyze the current clinical diagnostic factors of sarcopenia with social, clinical, and bioimpedance evaluation aspects such as phase angle and muscle power predictors. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study with descriptive, exploratory, and inferential analyses, conducted in 4 municipalities and 5 long-term care institutions located in the 9th health region of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The research was carried out from July 2022 to May 2023 after ethical committee approval. A questionnaire containing demographic, behavioral, and health information (lifestyle habits, health perception, smoking, alcohol use, and global functionality) was applied. SARC-F and SARC-CALF research instruments were used for sarcopenia screening. Muscle strength evaluation was done through the sit-to-stand and STS test, and physical performance was assessed through the gait speed test. Laboratory analyses were performed. Descriptive statistics were used, including relative frequency. Parametric data were evaluated using mean and standard deviation (SD). Pearson correlations and standard deviation were used for continuous variables, and percentages for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to assess the degree of association between study variables and sarcopenia. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi® software (version 2.2.21). Results: A significant reduction in the average weight of sarcopenic individuals compared to non-sarcopenic ones was observed, as well as lower BMI, ASMM, and SMI in the sarcopenic group. Regarding the phase angle, a significant reduction was found in sarcopenic individuals. The calf circumference of sarcopenic individuals was smaller compared to non-sarcopenic ones. The most important anthropometric variables for predicting sarcopenia through partial least squares were: phase angle, BMI, calf circumference, and laboratory variables such as HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, estradiol, and testosterone. Conclusion: Anthropometric measures such as BMI and calf circumference demonstrated excellent predictors for clinical diagnosis of sarcopenia.