Background:

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of mass and skeletal muscle strength. Its prevalence varies in the different reviews carried out, this by the different measurement methods. Costa Rica does not have data on its prevalence.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to know the prevalence of sarcopenia and associated factors with it in older people from Costa Rican Study of Longevity and Healthy Ageing.

Methods:

A subgroup of 2516 people was analyze, using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People diagnostic criteria that include low muscle mass and low muscle strength. Muscle mass was assessed using calf circumference < 31 cm and grip strength using dynamometer, was low strength if <27 kg in men or <16 kg in women.

Results:

The prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.26%. There was an increasing trend of sarcopenia by age group, it was more prevalent in women. Some characteristics of Costa Ricans with sarcopenia was that most of them had less income, lived accompanied, perceived as unhealthy, had incomplete primary education. The weight, brachial, abdominal and calf circumference was lower in people with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was positively associated with age (OR 3,164; IC 1,962-5,101), education (OR 4,264; IC 1,547- 11,753), perceived as unhealthy (OR 1,691; IC 1,133-2,525), antecedent of ischemic vascular event (OR 3,221; IC 1,566-6,628), arthritis (OR 1,648; IC 1,044-2,601), and falls (0R 1,676; IC 1,143-2,458). Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.26%, similar to other countries of Latin America. It increase with age.

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