Association between sarcopenia and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objective  This study aimed to compare quality of life between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults and to verify the association of sarcopenia and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods  This was a cross-sectional study conducted in community-dwelling older adults (n = 378) from Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form (36) Health Survey. The algorithm proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) was used to assess sarcopenia. Descriptive, inferential analyses and linear regression model were performed.

Results  Sarcopenic older adults presented significantly lower quality of life scores in the domains of physical functioning, bodily pain, general health status, and social functioning. After adjustment, sarcopenia was inversely associated with physical functioning (β = -0.125; p = 0.010) and general health status (β = -0.112; p = 0.028).

Conclusion  The results of this study suggest a probable decline in the quality of life in sarcopenic older adults, especially in the physical functioning and general health status domains.

Aged; Health of the elderly; Quality of life; Sarcopenia