This study aimed to examine the prevalence of different stages of sarcopenia and associated risk factors in a cohort of individuals above 50 years, in the city of Kolkata, eastern India.
A total of 385 individuals were purposively sampled from north Kolkata, of which 227 (114 males and 113 females) aged over 50 years agreed to participate in the study. Muscle mass, strength, and physical performance were evaluated using calf muscle circumference (CC), hand grip strength (HGS), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), respectively. The cut-off values for these measures were based on the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) consensus. Statistical analysis was conducted to categorize participants into pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia groups. A nested design was employed, creating a truth table for each stage of sarcopenia, with a Classification Tree combined with Artificial Neural Network (CT-ANN) hybrid method applied to analyze each stage. Differences in age, gender, and BMI were also compared between groups.
The prevalence of pre-sarcopenia was 41% (38.6% in males and 45% in females), sarcopenia was 33% (27.2% in males and 40.5% in females), and severe sarcopenia was 22% (22.28% in males and 22.22% in females). No significant age difference was observed between non-sarcopenic individuals (59.2 ± 6.92 years) and those in the three sarcopenic categories. However, significant differences in BMI were noted, with non-sarcopenic individuals having a higher average BMI (27.13 ± 4.83 kg/m²) compared to those with sarcopenia (22.07 ± 4.68 kg/m²).
This is the first study from Eastern India which has documented the prevalence of the three stages of sarcopenia. Compared to studies from other parts of the world, the prevalence is fairly high. Similar studies staging the disease need to be conducted in different parts of the country. As the older population surges in India, preventive strategies need to be drawn in order to keep the population healthier till an older age.
This study underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of sarcopenia prevalence in India, particularly in light of the country's diverse population. Further research is essential to develop tailored prevention and management strategies for each stage of sarcopenia.
prevalence
India
