Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Elderly Living in Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of age-related progressive decline in muscle mass and strength (Sarcopenia) among Malaysian elderly residing in long-term care facilities. It is a very important condition to study as it is associated with high incidence of fall, hospitalization and mortality.

Detailed Description
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Over the past few decades, one condition that prominently affects the muscular system, known as sarcopenia, has captured the attention of healthcare experts and researchers. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the involuntary, gradual and generalized deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and strength with advancing age. It is to be noted that while sarcopenia is predominantly a syndrome of the elderly, its development may also be observed in various conditions such as disuse, malnutrition and cachexia, all of which are not exclusive only to the elderly. As of now, there are still ongoing research on an international scale with regards to its epidemiology, risk factors, causative factors, adverse clinical complications, prevention and treatment. Beginning in 1st of October, 2016, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has finally officialised an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10- CM) code for sarcopenia after its final proposal since April 2015. This establishment has enabled comprehensible clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia, as well as separate reporting and data collection for sarcopenia in the medical community. In essence, sarcopenia appears to be one of the most important causes of functional impairment, physical disability and loss of independence in older adults and a prevalence study will help to estimate the deleterious effects of this condition on the elderly living in the care facility, who happen to be the less privileged group as compared to their counterparts dwelling in the community.

Official Title
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A Preliminary Study of Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Elderly Living in Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Conditions
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Sarcopenia, Sarcopenic Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Sarcopenia assessment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Currently residing in a long-term care facility Ability to walk, with or without the use of any walking aid Citizen of Malaysia Exclusion Criteria: Inability to stand for height, weight and gait speed assessments Presence of cardiac pacemaker Presence of artificial limbs / prosthesis / metal implants Difficult or dangerous behaviours Severe cardiac, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal disorders Severe cognitive impairment or any disability that makes communication impossible Presence of terminal illness Co-morbidities associated with high risk of falls (e.g. Parkinson's disease or CVA) or that may directly influence affect gait speed

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Sarcopenia assessment|Sarcopenia assessment by measurement of Skeletal Muscle mass index, hand grip strength and usual gait speed for 5 meter distance, as per the guidelines of Asia Working group for Sarcopenia study, was carried out.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skeletal muscle mass | The skeletal muscle mass was measured using a Research grade Segmental BioImpedance Analyser to help derive the skeletal muscle mass index (Appendicular skeletal muscle mass/square of height= kg/m2) | 10 minutes | 
| Grip strength | Measurement of muscle strength was done using a Jamar hydraulic handheld dynamometer, only one maximal effort was allowed. However, for erroneous performance another attempt was provided after 10 minutes of rest. The measure was recorded in Kgf. | 1 minute to 10 minutes | 
| Gait speed | Usual gait speed was used as a measure of physical performance, where the subject was required to walk along a 5 meter straight path. Time recorded using a stopwatch and speed recorded in meters per second | less the 10 minutes on an average | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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muscle strength, physical performance, Sarcopenia