Muscle Strength Seems to be Related to The Functional Status and Severity of Dementia in Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the possible interrelationships between sarcopenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Background: Sarcopenia and AD are two common geriatric syndromes; however, the relationship between AD and sarcopenia has not been evaluated in detail so far.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the relationship between AD and sarcopenia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed retrospectively on 128 patients with probable AD, with a mean age of 76.56±7.54 years. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, including the activities of daily living (ADLs), malnutrition, frailty, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and orthostatic hypotension was performed. Sarcopenia was defined according to the revised EWGSOP-2 criteria.

Results: The frequency of probable sarcopenia and definitive sarcopenia was 54.7% and 18.7%, respectively. AD patients with probable sarcopenia had lower MMSE and ADLs scores and were frailer. Clinical dementia rating (CDR) score, MMSE, and basic and instrumental ADLs were independently related to probable sarcopenia in the patients (p=0.003, p<0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). The prevalence of probable sarcopenia in those with CDR 2 was higher than in those with CDR 0.5 and 1 (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that probable sarcopenia seems to be related to worse MMSE and ADLs scores and frailty in patients with AD and seems to be related to the severity of AD. Considering adverse health outcomes and the burden of sarcopenia on the patients and their caregivers, optimal care and treatment of sarcopenia in patients with AD are of great importance.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; frailty; low muscle mass; low muscle strength; older adults; sarcopenia.