PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hatice Simsek
AU  - Reci Meseri
AU  - Sevnaz Sahin
AU  - Asli Kilavuz
AU  - Derya H. Bicakli
AU  - Mehmet Uyar
AU  - Sumru Savas
AU  - Fulden Sarac
AU  - Fehmi Akcicek
TI  - Prevalence of sarcopenia and related factors in community-dwelling elderly individuals
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2019.6.23917
DP  - 2019 Jun 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 568--574
VI  - 40
IP  - 6
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/40/6/568.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/40/6/568.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2019 Jun 01; 40
AB  - Objectives: To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and related factors in individuals aged ≥65 years living in the Bornova district of Izmir, Turkey. Sarcopenia is one of the most serious health problems among elderly individuals.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bornova district of Izmir, Turkey, between February-July 2015. This study participants were comprised of 909 individuals aged ≥65 years. The dependent variable was the presence of sarcopenia and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) approach was used for determining sarcopenia. The independent variables were socio-demographic and economic characteristics, healthy life behaviors and health status/condition. Data were collected at home through face-to-face interviews and measurements, analysed using chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression analysis.Results: The participants’ mean age was 72.8±6.2 (range: 65-100) years, and 60.2% were female (n=582). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 5.2% and that of low gait speed was 41.0%, low grip strength was 57.0%, low calf circumference was 6.1% and the combination of low gait speed and low grip strength was 14.3%. Risk factors of sarcopenia included increasing age, physical inactivity, low body mass index and the presence or risk of malnutrition.Conclusion: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 5.2% in this population and increased with age, physical inactivity, low body mass index and the presence or risk of malnutrition.