Cognitive Decline, Depression, and Sarcopenia: A risk for home care

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aging process involves a decline in mental and physical abilities. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between cognitive decline, depression, and sarcopenia in the community-dwelling elderly population. Methods: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study. The evaluations were started with a form that contained information of body characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, Body Mass Index, Total Muscle Mass, Total Muscle Mass Index, Abdominal Circumference), sarcopenia characteristics (Calf Circumference, Timed Up and Go Test, Walking Speed Test, Sit and Stand Test, Handgrip Strength Test, and Quadriceps Femoral Strength Test), for the assessment of cognitive decline (Clock Drawing Test), and for depression (Geriatric Depression Scale). Results: A total of 266 community-dwelling elderly people participated in this study, of whom 1/3 had pre-sarcopenia. It was possible to verify that in the Clock Drawing Test (p=0.037) and in the Geriatric Depression Scale (p=0.001), as well as in their question repartition, the group of elderly with pre-sarcopenia presented the worst results. Conclusion: At the end of the study, it was possible to conclude that cognitive decline, depression, and sarcopenia, in fact, are associated. Keywords: Aged, Cognitive Decline, Depression, Sarcopenia.