Abstract

Background: This study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults during hospitalization in an acute care setting, its associated risk factors, and health outcomes. The study also examined sarcopenia assessment uptakes among older adults admitted to the hospital.

Methods: Patients admitted to geriatric and medical wards in a university hospital were included. Sarcopenia was determined through calf circumference measurement, hand grip strength, and a 5-time chair stand test using Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) thresholds. Participants were followed up 28 days post-discharge.

Results: Seventy-nine participants were included in this study, all completing calf circumference and hand grip strength assessments. Seventeen participants completed the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) assessment (21.5%), twelve participants completed Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) (9.5%), and twenty-four completed 5-time chair stand tests (19%). Forty-nine out of 79 (62%) participants had sarcopenia, 63% of the participants had low calf circumference (median 31.4 cm, IQR: 2.8), 93.7% had low grip strength (median 11 kg, IQR: 9), and 94.9% had prolonged 5-time chair stand test. The body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in sarcopenic participants in this study. No significant associations were found between sarcopenia diagnosis and health outcomes.

Conclusion: This study highlighted a high prevalence of sarcopenia among older individuals in hospitals. Low uptakes of muscle mass and physical performance assessments suggest diagnostic challenges in acute care settings.