Sarcopenia among Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence and Its Associated Factors

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a common health problem in older adults associated with age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia can cause low activity of daily living, increased risk of falls, and low quality of life. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia and the association among personal factors, health factors, and sarcopenia in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Data were collected in 180 older adults with knee osteoarthritis in a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok using the demographic questionnaire, the Thai version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, the Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living Thai version, and the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falls questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results revealed that the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults with knee osteoarthritis was relatively high (41.7%). The univariate logistic regression indicated that age, depression, physical ability, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with sarcopenia. After controlling other factors, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that depression, poor physical ability, and increased BMI significantly predicted sarcopenia; these three variables together explained 56.2% of the total variance in sarcopenia. Gerontological nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals should focus on early screening and evaluating sarcopenia in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. An intervention is imperative to manage, prevent, and minimize sarcopenia and knee osteoarthritis severity by promoting physical activity, managing depressive symptoms, and controlling body weight.