Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Elderly Living in Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of age-related progressive decline in muscle mass and strength (Sarcopenia) among Malaysian elderly residing in long-term care facilities. It is a very important condition to study as it is associated with high incidence of fall, hospitalization and mortality.

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Key information

Conditions

Sarcopenia Atrophy Muscular Atrophy Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sarcopenic Obesity Signs and Symptoms

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

About this study

Over the past few decades, one condition that prominently affects the muscular system, known as sarcopenia, has captured the attention of healthcare experts and researchers. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the involuntary, gradual and generalized deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and strength with advancing age. It is to be noted that while sarcopenia is predominantly a syndrome of the elderly, its development may also be observed in various conditions such as disuse, malnutrition and cachexia, all of which are not exclusive only to the elderly. As of now, there are still ongoing research on an international scale with regards to its epidemiology, risk factors, causative factors, adverse clinical complications, prevention and treatment.

Beginning in 1st of October, 2016, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has finally officialised an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10- CM) code for sarcopenia after its final proposal since April 2015. This establishment has enabled comprehensible clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia, as well as separate reporting and data collection for sarcopenia in the medical community.

In essence, sarcopenia appears to be one of the most important causes of functional impairment, physical disability and loss of independence in older adults and a prevalence study will help to estimate the deleterious effects of this condition on the elderly living in the care facility, who happen to be the less privileged group as compared to their counterparts dwelling in the community.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Currently residing in a long-term care facility
Ability to walk, with or without the use of any walking aid
Citizen of Malaysia

Exclusion criteria

Inability to stand for height, weight and gait speed assessments
Presence of cardiac pacemaker
Presence of artificial limbs / prosthesis / metal implants
Difficult or dangerous behaviours
Severe cardiac, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal disorders
Severe cognitive impairment or any disability that makes communication impossible
Presence of terminal illness
Co-morbidities associated with high risk of falls (e.g. Parkinson's disease or CVA) or that may directly influence affect gait speed

Treatment and study plan

Sarcopenia Assessment

Other

Sarcopenia assessment by measurement of Skeletal Muscle mass index, hand grip strength and usual gait speed for 5 meter distance, as per the guidelines of Asia Working group for Sarcopenia study, was carried out.

Other names: Height and weight measurements, Skeletal muscle mass index, Hand grip strength, Gait speed

Primary outcomes

Skeletal muscle mass

Time frame: 10 minutes

The skeletal muscle mass was measured using a Research grade Segmental BioImpedance Analyser to help derive the skeletal muscle mass index (Appendicular skeletal muscle mass/square of height= kg/m2)
Grip strength

Time frame: 1 minute to 10 minutes

Measurement of muscle strength was done using a Jamar hydraulic handheld dynamometer, only one maximal effort was allowed. However, for erroneous performance another attempt was provided after 10 minutes of rest. The measure was recorded in Kgf.
Gait speed

Time frame: less the 10 minutes on an average

Usual gait speed was used as a measure of physical performance, where the subject was required to walk along a 5 meter straight path. Time recorded using a stopwatch and speed recorded in meters per second

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Preliminary Study of Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Elderly Living in Care Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Important dates

Study start: 2016
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2017
First posted: Apr 4, 2019
Registry last updated: Apr 4, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed