Chin J Traumatol. 2026 Feb 28:S1008-1275(26)00038-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2025.11.002. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Sarcopenia is a prevalent geriatric syndrome, particularly among the elderly with chronic musculoskeletal diseases, where it exacerbates the risk of functional decline and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of muscle weakness and wasting and to investigate some factors related to these 2 syndromes in the elderly with coexisting knee osteoarthritis and chronic spinal pain.
METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled 88 elderly patients (aged ≥60 years) at the musculoskeletal department of Thai Binh General Hospital between May 2024 and October 2024. Muscle weakness was defined according to the Fried criteria, and muscle wasting was diagnosed based on the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Data were collected via direct interviews and clinical examinations with measurements, including muscle strength measurement (handgrip strength using the InGrip device), walking speed (by the 15-foot walk test), and body composition analysis using the Inbody 770 machine (using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software, and multivariate regression was used to investigate a number of related factors, with p < 0.05 being considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Among the 88 elderly patients, the overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 40.9% (including 23.9% sarcopenia and 17.0% severe sarcopenia), while the prevalence of frailty was 9.1%. Notably, the co-occurrence of both syndromes was significantly higher in men than in women (21.1% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.037), a novel and clinically important finding. After multivariate regression analysis, age was the only significant independent risk factor and those over 70 years old had a 9.0-fold higher risk of developing the condition compared to those aged 60 – 65 years (adjusted odds ratio = 9.0; 95% confidence interval: 2.4 – 33.6).
CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of sarcopenia, with advanced age identified as the most critical independent risk factor, underscores its significant burden in this patient population. These findings highlight the urgent need for early screening and the development of targeted intervention strategies, particularly for high-risk groups such as those aged over 70 years.
PMID:41833494 | DOI:10.1016/j.cjtee.2025.11.002
