Prevalence risk of sarcopenia in older Brazilian adults during the pandemic: A cross-sectional analysis of the Remobilize Study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Social distancing has led to lifestyle changes among older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence risk of sarcopenia (RS) and investigate its associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in older Brazilian adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional observational analysis of baseline data as part of the Remobilize Study. METHODS: Participants in the study were older adults (≥ 60 years), excluding those who were bedridden or institutionalized. The data collected consisted of answers about the RS (SARC-F), functional status, walking, sedentary behavior (SB), pain, comorbidity, and life space mobility. RESULTS: A total of 1,482 older adults (70 ± 8.14 years, 74% women) participated in the study, and an RS prevalence of 17.1% was found. (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.25-19.15%). The adjusted multivariate model showed a significant association between RS and functional limitation (odds ratio [OR]: 19.05; CI 13.00-28.32), comorbidity (OR: 5.11; CI 3.44-7.81), pain (OR: 4.56; CI 3.33-6.28), total walking (OR: 0.99; CI 0.99-1.00), SB of 8-10 hours (OR: 1.85; CI 1.15-2.93), and SB of > 10 hours (OR: 3.93; CI 2.48-6.22). RS was associated with mobility during the pandemic (OR: 0.97; CI 0.96-0.98). P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, the prevalence of RS in older Brazilians was estimated at 17.1%. Moderate to severe functional limitation, comorbidities, presence of pain, walking, longer SB period, and reduced life space mobility significantly contributed to RS in older adults during the pandemic.

Utilitarian walking and walking as exercise among community-dwelling older adults: what factors influence it? / Caminhada utilitária e caminhada como exercício para os idosos: quais fatores podem influenciar?

Abstract Objective : to investigate the association between utilitarian walking and walking as exercise, and socio-demographic, clinical and functional covariates related to these walking types. Methods : a cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted with 148 older adults (aged 60 and over). Walking frequency and duration was assessed using the IPEQ-W (Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire - Version W). Socio-demographic, clinical conditions, level of disability and mobility were also assessed. Types of walking were compared among the variables using the Mann-Whitney test and non-parametric Spearman rho correlations were used to investigate the association between the types of walking and the variables. Results : the participants performed a mean of 1.1 (±2.1) h/week of walking as exercise and 2.2 (±2.3) h/week of utilitarian walking. Older adults who had diabetes (p=0.015) did fewer h/week of walking as exercise. Participants who were older (p=0.014), reported poor self-rated health (p<0.001), poor disability levels (p<0.001), hypertension (p=0.048), strokes (p<0.001), heart disease (p=0.026), urinary incontinence (p<0.001), dizziness (p=0.008), or sleep disorders (p=0.042) spent fewer hours performing utilitarian walking. Correlations between the covariates and types of walking varied from very weak to weak. Conclusion : chronic diseases and unfavorable health conditions decreased walking time. Utilitarian walking was the most frequent type of walking performed by the older adults. Health care professionals and public policy managers should use utilitarian walking as a way of increasing levels of physical activity and to promote healthy aging.

Resumo Objetivo : Investigar a associação entre a caminhada utilitária, a caminhada como exercício e variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e funcionais associadas a esses tipos de caminhada. Métodos : Foi conduzido um estudo transversal exploratório, com 148 idosos (com 60 anos de idade ou mais). A frequência e duração da caminhada foi avaliada por meio do IPEQ-W (Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire - Version W). Dados sociodemográficos, condições clínicas, nível de funcionalidade e mobilidade também foram avaliados. O teste de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para comparar os tipos de caminhada com as variáveis e o teste de correlação de Spearman rho foi utilizado para analisar a associação entre os tipos de caminhada e as variáveis. Resultados : Participantes realizaram em média 1,1 (±2,1) h/semana de caminhada como exercício e 2,2 (±2,3) h/semana de caminhada utilitária. Participantes mais velhos (p=0,014), com pior percepção de saúde (p<0,001), com pior funcionalidade (p<0,001), que relataram hipertensão (p=0,048), AVE (p<0,001), doença do coração (p=0,026), incontinência urinária (p<0,001), tontura (p=0,008), problemas para dormir (p=0,042) e polifarmácia (p=0,019) fizeram menos horas de caminhada utilitária. A correlação entre as covariáveis e os tipos de caminhadas variou de muito fraca a fraca. Conclusão : Doenças crônicas e condições desfavoráveis de saúde diminuem o tempo de caminhada. A caminhada utilitária é a mais comumente realizada pelos idosos. Profissionais de saúde e gestores de políticas públicas devem usar a caminhada utilitária como uma forma de aumentar o nível de atividade física e promover o envelhecimento saudável.

Correlates of excessive daytime sleepiness in community-dwelling older adults: an exploratory study / Fatores relacionados à sonolência diurna excessiva em idosos da comunidade: um estudo exploratório

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) imposes a wide range of adverse health-related outcomes in older people, such as disability, which impair everyday activities and may increase the risk of fall. Few studies have explored EDS in Brazilian older people living in the community who are typically cared in primary health services. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of EDS and its sociodemographic, physical and mental health correlates among community-dwelling older adults. This is an exploratory, population-based study derived from Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults (FIBRA) study including adults aged 65 years and older. Participants with a score ≥ 11 points on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were considered as having excessive daytime sleepiness. A structured, multidimensional questionnaire was used to investigate sociodemographic, physical and mental health, and self-rated health variables. The sample was composed of 776 older adults, of whom 21% (n = 162) presented excessive daytime sleepiness. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that EDS is associated with obesity (OR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.02 - 2.20), urinary incontinence (OR = 1.53; 95%CI 1.01 - 2.31), poor self-rated health (OR = 1.54; 95%CI 1.06 - 2.24), and depression symptoms (OR = 1.49; 95%CI 1.00 - 2.20). Our results suggest that healthcare professionals should identify older adults with EDS and implement intervention strategies to minimize the negative impact of the co-occurrence of this condition with obesity, depression and urinary incontinence over health and quality of life.

A Sonolência Diurna Excessiva (SDE) está relacionada a vários efeitos adversos na saúde de pessoas idosas, como a incapacidade funcional, que compromete as atividades do cotidiano e aumenta o risco de quedas. Poucos estudos têm explorado a SDE em idosos brasileiros que vivem na comunidade, que são tipicamente cuidados em serviços de atenção primária em saúde. Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar a prevalência da SDE e sua correlação com dados sociodemográficos, físicos e sobre a saúde mental de idosos que vivem na comunidade. Este é um estudo exploratório de base populacional, derivado da Rede de Estudos de Fragilidade de Idosos Brasileiros (FIBRA) com idosos com de 65 anos ou mais. Participantes com um escore ≥ 11 pontos na Escala de Sonolência de Epworth foram considerados como tendo SDE. Um questionário estruturado, multidimensional foi usado para investigar as variáveis sociodemográficas, físicas, saúde mental, e qualidade de vida. A amostra foi composta por 776 idosos, dos quais 21% (n = 162) apresentavam SDE. A análise de regressão múltipla revelou que a SDE está associada à obesidade (OR = 1.50; IC95% 1.02 - 2.20), incontinência urinária (OR = 1.53; IC95% 1.01 - 2.31), má qualidade de vida (OR = 1.54; IC95% 1.06 - 2.24) e sintomas depressivos (OR = 1.49; IC95% 1.00 - 2.20). Nossos resultados sugerem que profissionais da saúde devem identificar os idosos com SDE e implementar intervenções para minimizar o impacto negativo da coocorrência dessas condições com obesidade, depressão e incontinência urinária sobre a saúde e qualidade de vida.