Abstract
(1) Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between severity of sarcopenia and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 304 older-adult participants was used to assess the severity of sarcopenia by measuring muscle strength (handgrip dynamometer), muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis), and physical performance (Timed Up-and-Go test). The generic 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate HRQoL. Anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) as well as age were considered as possible confounders. Probable sarcopenia was determined by low muscle strength; confirmed sarcopenia was defined by the presence of both low muscle strength and muscle mass; and severe sarcopenia was defined by low muscle strength and mass along with poor physical performance. (3) Results: The linear regression analysis showed that the presence of probable sarcopenia was associated with the SF-36 domains physical role (adjusted R2 = 0.183), general health (adjusted R2 = 0.290), and social functioning (adjusted R2 = 0.299). As for the SF-36 mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores, probable sarcopenia, as well as depression and anxiety, remained associated with MCS (adjusted R2 = 0.518), and these three variables, together with age, were linked to PCS (adjusted R2 = 0.340). (4) Conclusions: Probable sarcopenia, but not confirmed or severe sarcopenia, was independently associated with poor HRQoL. More precisely, it was related to PCS and MCS, as well as to the physical role, general health, and social functioning of SF-36 domains.
Highlights
Probable sarcopenia was determined by low muscle strength; confirmed sarcopenia was defined by the presence of both low muscle strength and muscle mass; and severe sarcopenia was diagnosed when low muscle strength and muscle mass appeared together with low physical performance
Concerning the SF-36, the PCS score was 68.61 ± 21.28 and the MCS score was 73.20 ± 20.35, while the higher and the lower domain scores were obtained by social functioning and physical functioning, respectively
The findings of this study suggest that, in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults, probable sarcopenia, but not confirmed or severe sarcopenia, was independently associated with a poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
Summary
Sarcopenia is defined as the generalized and progressive loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass, which can lead to adverse outcomes such as physical disability, reduced physical functions, and poor quality of life [1]. The first definition of sarcopenia elaborated by The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-1 (EWGSOP1). Only considered muscle mass [2], the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older. People-2 (EWGSOP2) more recently proposed three diagnostic parameters: low muscle strength, low muscle quality/quantity, and poor physical performance [3]. The prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults living in the community.
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