Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
HA Young Investigators Session (Projects to be presented by HA staff who had joined HA for 10 years or less)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung HC (1), Yu TKK (1), Yeung EMP (1), Kun YW (1), Tai ML (1), Leung KKL (2), Chan JSP (2), Chak NNT (2), Wong E (3), Tse KY (3)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital
(2) Physiotherapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
(3) Dietetics Department, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Sarcopenia is characterised by progressive and generalised loss of muscle mass, strength and physical performance in elderly patients. It increases the risk of falls, fractures and functional decline, and results in more frequent admissions and longer length of stay in hospital. Among the elderly patients, the risk of sarcopenia is tripled for those with osteoporosis. Sarcopenia assessment in the osteoporosis clinic provides an opportunity for early intervention to improve physical strength.
Objectives :
We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia among elderly patients in the osteoporosis clinic of Kowloon Hospital.
Methodology :
94 elderly patients were assessed for sarcopenia during osteoporosis clinic consultation in Kowloon Hospital in June – December 2022. Grip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index were measured with a Jamar digital dynamometer and a bioimpedance analyser respectively. Each assessment was completed within two minutes and no adverse events were reported. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was established by both low grip strength (Male: < 28 kg, Female: < 18 kg) and low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (Male: < 7.0 kg/m2, Female: < 5.7 kg/m2) according to the Consensus Update by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2019.
Result & Outcome :
Among the 94 patients assessed, 27 (28.7%) of them were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had higher age (p = 0.003), higher level in Clinical Frailty Scale (p = 0.033), lower body weight (p < 0.001) and lower body mass index (p < 0.001) than those without sarcopenia. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was elaborated to patients immediately in clinic consultation. Patients were evaluated for reversible causes of sarcopenia and recruited to multidisciplinary exercise-nutritional intervention in the Jockey Club Integrated Rehabilitation Day Centre in Kowloon Hospital.
The prevalence of sarcopenia among elderly patients in osteoporosis clinic is more than three times higher when compared to other studies involving community dwelling elderly. Even though most osteo-sarcopenia patients identified were ambulatory and living independently, the risks of falls and fractures are looming on them. Clinicians should maintain vigilance on sarcopenia among patients with advanced age, low body mass index, severe osteoporosis and frailty.
