Poor appetite is associated with lower muscle strength in community dwelling older adults

Author / Creator

ISTRC 2021 - International Sarcopenia Translational Research Conference (2021)

Conferences

ISTRC 2021 - International Sarcopenia Translational Research Conference Virtual Poster Competition (2021)

Available as

Online

Summary

Background: Anorexia of ageing is common but often not assessed in clinical practice despite the availability of simple tools such as the four-item Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SN...

Background: Anorexia of ageing is common but often not assessed in clinical practice despite the availability of simple tools such as the four-item Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ)1. Anorexia of ageing is associated with altered dietary pattern, weight loss and malnutrition, potentially contributing to the development of sarcopenia through loss of muscle mass. However, the association between appetite and muscle strength is less clear. Methods: Cross sectional observational study of community dwelling adults aged over 60 years, attending outpatient appointments in one hospital. Appetite was assessed using SNAQ; muscle strength by handgrip strength with a Jamar dynamometer and standard protocol. The association between appetite (SNAQ score between 5 and 20) and grip strength was assessed in unadjusted and adjusted continuous analyses. Results: We observed an association between poorer appetite and lower muscle strength in community dwelling older adults, independent of sex. This association was not robust when accounting for effects of age and comorbidity. Poor appetite may be associated with low muscle strength prior to older age and comorbidities but further investigation is needed. Appetite is simple to assess in older people using SNAQ and may prove useful in earlier identification of individuals at risk of developing sarcopenia.

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