Research Project - Sarcopenia
The Frequency of Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss) in Individuals over 65 and the Effect of Nutrition on Sarcopenia
Pınar Institute, which carries out studies for the correct evaluation of the relationship between food, nutrition and health, increasing social awareness and producing knowledge based on scientific basis, continues its support for academic studies.
In this context, the Pınar Institute, which supported the project titled "The Frequency of Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss) in Individuals Over 65 and the Effect of Nutrition on Sarcopenia “, aims to draw attention to sarcopenia, an important public health problem. In this project directed by Ege University Faculty of Medicine (EUMF) Head of the Department of Internal Medicine Dr. Fehmi Akçiçek; Prof. Dr. Mehmet Uyar, Head of Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Assoc. Dr. Fulden Saraç from EUMF Endocrinology Department, Assoc. Dr. Reci Meseri from EU the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. Sumru Savaş EUMF Department of Geriatrics, EU Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Aslı Kılavuz, EU Internal Medicine Specialist Sevnaz Şahin, Expert Dietician Derya Hopancı Bıçaklı from EUMF Oncology Clinic and Assoc. Dr. Hatice Şimşek Keskin from Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health took part.
Through this collaboration, the Institute became a part of the studies carried out to determine the frequency of sarcopenia in individuals aged 65 or more and evaluate the effect of nutrition on sarcopenia, to create data on the prevalence of sarcopenia in Turkey and raise awareness in protein deficiency and physical activity by informing people on sarcopenia.
The aim of the project is to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in individuals over 65, a syndrome associated with risks such as physical disability, poor quality of life, death and causes loss of muscle power and mass and to evaluate the effect of nutrition on sarcopenia. It was proposed to determine the socio-economic data, nutritional status, physical activity levels of all elderly people taking part in the study and to perform measurements on their body composition and muscle volume. In addition, protein intake levels and nutrient consumption frequency in the elderly are examined.
3 separate doctoral dissertations titled “The Frequency of Sarcopenia in Society and Risk Factors”, "Determining the Frequency of Falling and Home Accidents as a Result of Sarcopenia” and "Detailed Testing of Patients with Sarcopenia at the Hospital and Research for Remedies" were supported within the project. The aim of the doctoral study is to determine the frequency and risk factors of sarcopenia in people over 65 living in Bornova district of İzmir.
The first outputs of the Project were obtained from the doctoral dissertation study of Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Lecturer Assoc. Dr. Hatice Şimşek Keskin's titled "The prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in the elderly “.
The dependent variable of the study is the presence of sarcopenia. The presence of sarcopenia was determined by walking speed, grip strength (measured by hand dynamometer) and muscle mass (by measuring calf circumference). The frequency of sarcopenia was measured according to two different evaluations. According to these evaluations, the prevalence of sarcopenia was found to be 5.7% and 5.0%. Approximately 55 elderly who were diagnosed to have sarcopenia were invited to the Ege University Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Branch for further evaluation. The studies are continuing, and the findings will be shared in the future.