Clinical considerations for sarcopenia in older Colombian Afro-descendant and mestizo women

OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequencies of clinical suspicion of sarcopenia (CSS) and probable sarcopenia (PS) and their association with ethnic groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study categorized 700 women into Afro-descendant and mestizo ethnic groups. Calf circumference, muscle strength, and gait speed were measured. CSS was assessed using a sarcopenia risk scale and the measurement of calf circumference; the muscle strength of the dominant hand was used to establish PS. Unadjusted logistic regressions assessed associations between CSS/PS and ethnicity. Two adjusted logistic regression models included relevant covariates. RESULTS: CSS and PS were identified in 10.4% to 20.7% and 7.8% to 14.1% of study participants, respectively. Compared with mestizos, Afro-descendants had a more favorable sarcopenia risk score, greater calf circumference, and greater muscle strength and were associated with a lower risk for CSS (odds ratio [OR]: 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.28 and OR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.07–0.21) and PS (OR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05–0.30 and OR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.06–0.21). CONCLUSION: Compared with mestizos, CSS and PS were less frequent among Afro-descendants, who had 87% to 88% lower probability of CSS and 88% to 89% lower probability of PS.