Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome and Self-Management Behaviors in Continuing-Care Retirement Community Residents.

Murad H Taani,Christina Diane Sima,Immaculate Apchemengich

doi:10.3390/geriatrics7010009

Abstract

Malnutrition–sarcopenia syndrome (MSS) might put older adults at higher risk for disability, frailty, and mortality. This study examined the prevalence and association of the self-management-process factors (i.e., self-efficacy and aging expectations) and behaviors (protein and caloric intake and sedentary and physical-activity behaviors) to MSS among older adults living in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data of 96 CCRC residents (82.4 ± 7.4 years) were analyzed. Muscle mass, strength, function, nutritional status, sedentary time, physical activity levels, protein and caloric intake, self-efficacy for physical activity, aging expectations, and physical and mental health-related quality of life were measured. Results show that 36 (37.5%) had sarcopenia, 21 (21.9%) had malnutrition risk, 13 (13.4%) had malnutrition, and 12 (12.5%) had MSS. We also found that high time spent in sedentary behaviors (OR = 1.041; 95% CI: 1.011–1.071) was associated with higher odds of having MSS and high expectations regarding aging (OR = 0.896; 95% CI: 0.806–0.997) were associated with less likelihood of having MSS. Findings suggest that CCRC residents should be screened for MSS. Self-management interventions that consider the self-management-process factors are needed to prevent MSS and mitigate its negative outcomes among CRCC residents.

Highlights

Sarcopenia is a syndrome prevalent in older adults and characterized by progressive and generalized loss of muscle strength, mass, and/or function [1]
The findings demonstrated that sarcopenia, malnutrition, and malnutrition–sarcopenia syndrome (MSS) were prevalent in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) residents and those with MSS have lower handgrip strength, muscle mass, gait speed, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) score compared to those without MSS
Our study demonstrated significant co-existing of sarcopenia and malnutrition, and that sedentary behaviors and low aging expectations are highly prevalent and associated with MSS among CCRC residents, which can lead to deleterious health outcomes including increased mortality rates [34]

Summary

Introduction

Sarcopenia is a syndrome prevalent in older adults and characterized by progressive and generalized loss of muscle strength, mass, and/or function [1]. Sarcopenia is associated with negative health outcomes, including falls, fractures, physical disability, frailty, poor quality of life, and mortality [1,2]. Malnutrition is a common health problem that affects people from different age groups, older adults [3,4]. Malnutrition is one of the key pathophysiological causes of sarcopenia in older adults [1] and has been linked to many adverse clinical outcomes, including increased hospitalization rates and length of hospital stay, poor muscle quantity and quality, reduced quality of life, and mortality [1,2]. The clinical presentation of both conditions together has been termed “malnutrition–sarcopenia syndrome (MSS)” [6] and might put older adults at higher risk for disability, frailty, and mortality than those only suffering from either sarcopenia or malnutrition.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion