Sarcopenia is Related to Mortality in the Acutely Hospitalized Geriatric Patient

BackgroundSarcopenia is defined as low skeletal muscle mass with poor physical performance, representing a strong prognostic factor for mortality in older people. Although highly prevalent in hospitalized geriatric patients, it is unknown whether sarcopenia can also predict mortality in these patients.ObjectiveTo determine the association between sarcopenia according the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS), Special Interest Group of Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SIG) and Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and 2-year mortality in acutely hospitalized geriatric patients.Design81 patients (845 y) admitted to the acute geriatric ward participated in this study. Body composition assessment (bio-impedance, Maltron Bioscan 920-II) and physical performance tests were performed, and mortality information was retrieved through patient files.ResultsPrevalence rates of sarcopenia were 51% (EWGSOP), 75% (IWGS), 69% (SIG), and 27% (FNIH). Based on Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) analysis, 2-year mortality was significantly higher in sarcopenic patients versus non-sarcopenic patients when using the EWGSOP (2-y: HR 4.310; CI-95%:2.092- 8.850; P