Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Elderly Living in Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

A Preliminary Study of Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Elderly Living in Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of age-related progressive decline in muscle mass and strength (Sarcopenia) among Malaysian elderly residing in long-term care facilities. It is a very important condition to study as it is associated with high incidence of fall, hospitalization and mortality.

Over the past few decades, one condition that prominently affects the muscular system, known as sarcopenia, has captured the attention of healthcare experts and researchers. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the involuntary, gradual and generalized deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and strength with advancing age. It is to be noted that while sarcopenia is predominantly a syndrome of the elderly, its development may also be observed in various conditions such as disuse, malnutrition and cachexia, all of which are not exclusive only to the elderly. As of now, there are still ongoing research on an international scale with regards to its epidemiology, risk factors, causative factors, adverse clinical complications, prevention and treatment.

Beginning in 1st of October, 2016, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has finally officialised an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10- CM) code for sarcopenia after its final proposal since April 2015. This establishment has enabled comprehensible clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia, as well as separate reporting and data collection for sarcopenia in the medical community.

In essence, sarcopenia appears to be one of the most important causes of functional impairment, physical disability and loss of independence in older adults and a prevalence study will help to estimate the deleterious effects of this condition on the elderly living in the care facility, who happen to be the less privileged group as compared to their counterparts dwelling in the community.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Currently residing in a long-term care facility
• Ability to walk, with or without the use of any walking aid
• Citizen of Malaysia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to stand for height, weight and gait speed assessments
• Presence of cardiac pacemaker
• Presence of artificial limbs / prosthesis / metal implants
• Difficult or dangerous behaviours
• Severe cardiac, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal disorders
• Severe cognitive impairment or any disability that makes communication impossible
• Presence of terminal illness
• Co-morbidities associated with high risk of falls (e.g. Parkinson's disease or CVA) or that may directly influence affect gait speed