IDENTIFICATION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH SARCOPENIA AT HOSPITAL ADMISSION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SARCOPENIA, INDICATORS OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY

Abstract

Objective: To identify, at hospital admission, elderly people at risk of sarcopenia or sarcopenics and their relationship with body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (NC), adductor pollicis muscle thickness (EMAP), length of hospital stay, and readmissions. Material and Methods: The study included elderly people of both sexes, hospitalized at the Hospital Beneficente Unimar, in Marília-SP. Initially, the patients answered a questionnaire to characterize the sample. For the screening and diagnosis of sarcopenia, the European Consensus on the Diagnosis and Definition of Sarcopenia algorithm was adopted. Anthropometric data were collected using techniques standardized in the literature. Results: The study included 98 elderly people, with a mean age of 70 ± 7.9 years, most of whom were women (53%). It was observed that 48% of the patients had sarcopenia or risk of developing it. The variables BMI (p = 0.0140), NC (p = 0.0007), and EMAP (p = 0.0013) were significantly lower in the group of sarcopenic or at-risk older adults compared to the non-sarcopenic group. In addition, the length of hospital stay was significantly longer (p = 0.0001) among patients with sarcopenia or risk of developing it. Conclusion: Sarcopenia is associated with a reduction in BMI, NC and EMAP, impacting a longer hospital stay. Early detection of sarcopenia through these nutritional indicators in hospitalized older adults is essential for identifying cases and targeting interventions that improve the health and well-being of patients, reducing the costs associated with hospitalization.