Prevalence of characteristics associated with sarcopenia in elders: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: to identify the prevalence and characteristics associated with sarcopenia in elders in Primary Health Care Units. METHODS: cross-sectional study with 384 elders. To evaluate sarcopenia, we measured: strength and muscle mass, and physical performance. The elderly were classified as having: probable sarcopenia; sarcopenia; or severe sarcopenia. The chi-squared test and the multinomial logistic regression method were used. RESULTS: the prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 25.52%; of sarcopenia, 11.98%; and of severe sarcopenia, 9.90%. Probable sarcopenia is 1.75 times more prevalent in men; osteoporosis is 2.16 times more prevalent in people with severe sarcopenia; polypharmacy is 1.57 times more likely in individuals with probable sarcopenia; and calf circumference below 31 cm is 2.24 times more likely in patients with sarcopenia and 2.19 times more likely in patients with severe sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: the highest prevalence was of probable sarcopenia, and the characteristics associated with sarcopenia were sex, osteoporosis, polypharmacy, overweight, obesity, and calf circumference.