Field Survey of Sarcopenia in Geriatric Inpatients and its Relation to Nutrition, Activities of Daily Living, and Cognitive Ability

Abstract

[Purpose] This study conducted a field survey of sarcopenia among geriatric inpatients to investigate its relation to nutrition, activities of daily living, and cognitive ability. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty geriatric inpatients were divided into sarcopenia and no sarcopenia groups using the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI). Outcome measures were the type of disease, the type of ward, the length of hospital stay, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), clinical tests (total protein, albumin), SMI, and the Mini Mental State Examination. [Results] There was no difference in rates of sarcopenia between the genders. Patients in the long-term care ward and with Musculoskeletal Ambulation Disability Symptom Complex had higher prevalences of sarcopenia. There were no significant correlations between SMI and the other measured parameters. In an adjusted logistic regression analysis, only the FIM on admission was associated with sarcopenia. [Conclusion] The results suggest that sarcopenia among geriatric inpatients not capable of independent walking is associated with ADL on admission.