Body composition in sarcopenia in middle-aged individuals

Abstract

Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to poor outcomes and reduced quality of life. In middle age, the decrease in muscle mass begins to be progressive. Bioimpedancemetry allows diagnosing this condition before the onset of clinical symptoms. The purpose of the study: to evaluate the parameters of body composition in the early diagnosis of sarcopenia in middle-aged people. Materials and Methods: The participants were divided into two groups the main one with sarcopenia 146 people and the control group 75 people. The complex of examinations included: neuropsychological testing (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), quality of life questionnaire for patients with sarcopenia (SarQoL), short health assessment form (SF-36)), 4-meter walking speed test, dynamometry and bioimpedancemetry. The results of neuropsychological examination did not differ in the main and control groups. Patients with sarcopenia showed a decrease in muscle strength according to dynamometry. The scores of the walking speed assessment test in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group. The main and control groups had excessive body weight. According to the results of bioimpedanceometry, the main group had increased fat mass, percentage of fat mass, visceral fat area, and fat mass index compared with the control group. Skeletal muscle mass was less in the main group, probable sarcopenia was confirmed by decreased appendicular mass, decreased protein and mineral content was also recorded. There was a more pronounced decrease in cell mass in the main group. In patients with sarcopenia the volume of intracellular and extracellular fluid was less than in the control group. Significant differences were considered at p0.05. Conclusions: the introduction of bioimpedancemetry and dynamometry into early screening for muscle mass reduction will allow timely start of therapeutic and preventive measures even in middle age, which will lead to a decrease in the progression of sarcopenia in the elderly, as well as improve the quality of life.