Page 57 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2021. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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-related skeletal muscle disease among nursing homes gibanje in zdravje starejših odraslih | physical activity and health of the elderly
residents
Dorjana Zerbo Šporin, Nastja Podrekar Loredan
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
Introduction. Sarcopenia is the most common age-related skeletal muscle dis-
ease characterized by clinically significant loss of muscle mass and muscle
strength/physical performance. The disease increases the need for care of the
elderly, increases the risk of falls and fractures, hospitalization, and premature
death. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the prevalence of sarcope-
nia among nursing home residents in western Slovenia and thus to encourage
its earlier detection.
Methods. A total of 121 residents (83.8±7.6 years, 69 % women) who were able
to walk independently participated in the study. Individuals were measured
for grip strength, walking speed at 4m and muscle mass using the bioelectrical
impedance method. Sarcopenia was assessed using the European Sarcopenia
Working Group (EWGSOP2) algorithm. The percentage of sarcopenic partici-
pants was determined separately by gender. Among those with confirmed sar-
copenia, the cases of severe disease we additionally determined.
Results. Sarcopenia was confirmed in 25 % (31 of 121) of study participants. The
percentage of patients with sarcopenia was higher in men (35.1 %) compared
to women (24.1 %). The majority of participants (90.3 %) with confirmed sar-
copenia already had a severe form of the disease.
Discussion and conclusion. The results of this study indicate a very high percent
of severe sarcopenia among residents in Slovenian nursing homes. Therefore,
regular screening for sarcopenia is crucial to recognize and include individuals
with early stage of the disease in programs to prevent the worsening of the dis-
ease.
Keywords: sarcopenia, elderly, nursing homes
55
residents
Dorjana Zerbo Šporin, Nastja Podrekar Loredan
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
Introduction. Sarcopenia is the most common age-related skeletal muscle dis-
ease characterized by clinically significant loss of muscle mass and muscle
strength/physical performance. The disease increases the need for care of the
elderly, increases the risk of falls and fractures, hospitalization, and premature
death. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the prevalence of sarcope-
nia among nursing home residents in western Slovenia and thus to encourage
its earlier detection.
Methods. A total of 121 residents (83.8±7.6 years, 69 % women) who were able
to walk independently participated in the study. Individuals were measured
for grip strength, walking speed at 4m and muscle mass using the bioelectrical
impedance method. Sarcopenia was assessed using the European Sarcopenia
Working Group (EWGSOP2) algorithm. The percentage of sarcopenic partici-
pants was determined separately by gender. Among those with confirmed sar-
copenia, the cases of severe disease we additionally determined.
Results. Sarcopenia was confirmed in 25 % (31 of 121) of study participants. The
percentage of patients with sarcopenia was higher in men (35.1 %) compared
to women (24.1 %). The majority of participants (90.3 %) with confirmed sar-
copenia already had a severe form of the disease.
Discussion and conclusion. The results of this study indicate a very high percent
of severe sarcopenia among residents in Slovenian nursing homes. Therefore,
regular screening for sarcopenia is crucial to recognize and include individuals
with early stage of the disease in programs to prevent the worsening of the dis-
ease.
Keywords: sarcopenia, elderly, nursing homes
55
