Volume 24, Issue 2 pp. 473-495
REVIEW ARTICLE

Prevalence of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms among older adults: a scoping review

Keerthana Sree Ganggaya

Keerthana Sree Ganggaya

Nutrition Program, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia

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Divya Vanoh

Corresponding Author

Divya Vanoh

Dietetics Program, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia

Correspondence: Divya Vanoh, PhD, Dietetics Program, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia. Email: [email protected]

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Wan Rosli Wan Ishak

Wan Rosli Wan Ishak

Nutrition Program, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia

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First published: 17 December 2023

Disclosure: All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Abstract

Sarcopenia causes a loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreases muscle strength and function. Depressive symptoms are a common cause of distress among geriatrics, significantly affecting the quality of life of older adults. Recently, studies have shown that a correlation exists between sarcopenia and depression. To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and depressive symptoms and identify the factors associated with sarcopenia, we systematically searched the SCOPUS, Science Direct, and PubMed databases for papers on sarcopenia and depressive symptoms published from 2012 to 2022. We reviewed the literature on sarcopenia, depressive symptom prevalence, the prevalence of subjects with both sarcopenia and depressive symptoms, and the factors associated with sarcopenia. Only cross-sectional studies were included. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria for review, with overall sarcopenia prevalence ranging from 3.9% to 41.7%. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was reported in seven studies, ranging from 8.09% to 40%. The most commonly used tools to diagnose sarcopenia and depressive symptoms were the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People consensus and the Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. Being aged, malnourished, obese, having comorbidities (hypertension and diabetes), having impaired cognitive function, and having polypharmacy were found to be the factors associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia and depressive symptoms have been found to cause adverse health outcomes among older people. Appropriate nutritional assessments and interventions should be taken to manage these two geriatric conditions. Further studies should be planned, considering multidomain intervention strategies to improve sarcopenia and older people's mental health.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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