Predictive value of adductor pollicis muscle thickness for ultrasound-based sarcopenia in older adults.

BACKGROUND: The adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) is least affected by subcutaneous adipose tissue and can be measured externally. The aim of this study is to identify the predictive value of APMT for the diagnosis of ultrasonography-based sarcopenia. METHODS: A total of 245 outpatients who were aged ≥65 years (49 with sarcopenia and 196 without sarcopenia) were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients with knee or hip replacement, advanced dementia, cerebrovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, or decompensated heart failure and those using drugs that affect muscle functions, such as steroids, were excluded. Comprehensive geriatric assessments and anthropometric measurements of the patients were performed. APMT was assessed with a skinfold caliper. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on a low Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR) index (anterior thigh muscle thickness by ultrasonography/body mass index [BMI] ratio, cutoff points are <1.4 for men and <1.0 for women) and low handgrip strength. The predictive ability of APMT for ultrasound-based sarcopenia diagnosis was examined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of arm and calf circumference and BMI between the sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic groups. APMT, handgrip strength, anterior thigh muscle thickness, and gait speed were significantly lower in the patients with sarcopenia. The best cutoff points of APMT for sarcopenia were ≤16.5 for women and ≤21.5 for men with areas under the curve of 0.70 and 0.66, respectively, and negative predictive values of 91.2 and 94.3, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: APMT can be a useful anthropometric marker for ultrasound-based sarcopenia diagnosis.

The predictive capacity of adductor pollicis muscle thickness for physical frailty in older adults.

PURPOSE: There is a need for an easily measurable and reliable surrogate marker for physical frailty. This study aims to investigate the predictive capacity of adductor pollicis muscle thickness (AMPT), which can be easily measured externally and minimally influenced by subcutaneous adipose tissue, for physical frailty. METHODS: A total of 589 patients (16.3% physically frail, 54.7% pre-frail, 29% robust) were included. Comprehensive geriatric assessments and anthropometric measurements of the patients were performed. APMT was assessed with a skinfold caliper. Physical frailty was diagnosed using the fried frailty phenotype. The predictive ability of APMT for the diagnosis of frailty was examined. RESULTS: Of all the participants, 64.3% were women, and the average age was 74 ± 5.9 years. There was no significant difference in waist and hip circumference, or body mass index between the frail and non-frail groups. APMT, handgrip strength, gait speed, and calf circumference were significantly lower in frail patients than in non-frail ones (p < 0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of APMT for physical frailty was determined to be 0.627 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.66; p < 0.001). The best cut-off value for APMT was ≤ 18.5 mm for all individuals. CONCLUSION: Adductor pollicis muscle thickness can be a useful anthropometric marker for evaluating the risk of physical frailty.

Investigation into the relationship between religious orientation and depression in elderly individuals.

AIMS: In Turkey and around the world, the elderly population continues to grow, and society's expectations of this group have increased. At the same time, different research fields and studies have increasingly considered the effects of religious orientation on ageing. In this study, we examine the relationship between depression and religious orientation in the elderly. METHODS: This descriptive study focused on determining the relationship between religious orientation and depression in the elderly. Data were collected by using a personal information form, the Religious Orientation Scale, and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Frequencies, percentages, means ± SD, Cronbach's α, and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: More than half of the subjects (51.7%) were men, 61.9% were aged 65-74 years old, and 59.2% were married. For 35.2%, the highest level of education was primary school. Around half of the subjects perceived their income as moderate, and 57.4% received social security. With regard to depression, 72.5% of subjects were at risk, with the remaining 27.5% having no risk. There was a weak positive relationship between the mean ± SD scores on the Religious Orientation Scale (48.11 ± 6.36) and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (8.23 ± 1.58; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study found a relationship between religious orientation and a tendency towards depression in the elderly that increased with religious orientation.