The prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in Thai older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Phatcharaphon Whaikid, Noppawan Piaseu
PMID 38352283WHAT IT FOUND
20.7% of older Thai adults in the included studies had sarcopenia.
Rates were 33.4% in hospitals, 23.2% in outpatient clinics and 17.3% in community. Age, male sex, low BMI and malnutrition were associated.
Key findings
01The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia among Thai older adults in the included studies was 20.7% (95% CI 14.4%–27.8%).
02Pooled prevalence by setting was 33.4% (95% CI 28.7%–38.3%) in hospitals, 23.2% (95% CI 12.5%–35.9%) in outpatient clinics and 17.3% (95% CI 9.4%–26.8%) in the community.
03Pooled odds ratios were 4.60 (95% CI 3.07–6.91) for age, 2.30 (95% CI 1.37–3.85) for male sex, 8.95 (95% CI 6.05–13.25) for low BMI and 2.78 (95% CI 2.09–3.70) for malnutrition.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Most included studies were cross-sectional. The included studies varied widely in prevalence estimates. Studies used different diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Many factors were reported only from individual studies, not pooled analysis. The review did not test interventions. The findings are specific to Thai older adults.
Declared interests
The research was supported by Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand. The funding organizations had no role in design, implementation or analysis. The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the odds ratios as proof that low BMI, malnutrition, low physical activity or poor physical ability caused sarcopenia, or that treating them will prevent it. The review pooled observational studies and reports associations, not tested interventions.