Association between sarcopenia and functionality in older adults in the Peruvian Amazon
- 1Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur. Lima, Peru. Universidad Científica del Sur Carrera de Medicina Humana Universidad Científica del Sur Lima Peru
- 2CHANGE Research Working Group, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur. Lima, Peru. Universidad Científica del Sur CHANGE Research Working Group Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad Científica del Sur Lima Peru
- 3Centro de Investigación del Envejecimiento (CIEN), Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad de San Martín de Porres. Lima, Peru. Universidad de San Martín de Porres Centro de Investigación del Envejecimiento (CIEN) Facultad de Medicina Humana Universidad de San Martín de Porres Lima Peru
Abstract
Objectives.: To analyze the relationship between sarcopenia and functional dependence in older adults in the Peruvian Amazon.
Materials and methods.: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a secondary data analysis of the Amazon Frail study that included older adults (60 years or older). Sarcopenia was assessed using the criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, which include the measurement of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance; and functionality, using the Barthel scale. In addition, sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, as well as medical and personal history, were included. A Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was performed to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR), with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).
Results.: A total of 315 older adults were included in the analysis, of whom 193 (n=61.3%) were women. It was found that 113 (n=35.9%) presented sarcopenia and 115 (n=36.5%) had functional dependence. In the adjusted Poisson regression analysis, it was found that sarcopenia was significantly associated with a higher probability of functional dependence (PR=1.43; 95%CI: 1.05-1.95). Furthermore, frailty (PR=2.07; 95%CI: 1.27-3.38), subjective memory complaint (PR=1.40; 95%CI: 1.02-1.91), and hearing loss (PR=1.53; 95%CI: 1.09-2.14) were also factors associated with greater functional dependence.
Conclusions.: In rural Amazonian communities, sarcopenia in older adults is associated with functional dependence. Its early identification is fundamental to prevent functional dependence and guide comprehensive health interventions.
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BibTeX
@article{carlosmallorga2026association,
title = {{Association between sarcopenia and functionality in older adults in the Peruvian Amazon}},
author = {Fabrizio Carlos-Mallorga and Jarumi M. Flores-Samamé and Naskia L. Valdivia-Salas and Alvaro M. Ñaña-Cordova and Xiomara C. Benavente-Chalco and Kiara Camacho-Caballero and José F. Parodi and Fernando M. Runzer-Colmenares},
journal = {Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.17843/rpmesp.2026.433.16113},
url = {https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2026.433.16113},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association between sarcopenia and functionality in older adults in the Peruvian Amazon
AU - Fabrizio Carlos-Mallorga
AU - Jarumi M. Flores-Samamé
AU - Naskia L. Valdivia-Salas
AU - Alvaro M. Ñaña-Cordova
AU - Xiomara C. Benavente-Chalco
AU - Kiara Camacho-Caballero
AU - José F. Parodi
AU - Fernando M. Runzer-Colmenares
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
JO - Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica
DO - 10.17843/rpmesp.2026.433.16113
UR - https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2026.433.16113
AB - Objectives.: To analyze the relationship between sarcopenia and functional dependence in older adults in the Peruvian Amazon. Materials and methods.: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a secondary data analysis of the Amazon Frail study that included older adults (60 years or older). Sarcopenia was assessed using the criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, which include the measurement of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance; and functionality, using the Barthel scale. In addition, sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, as well as medical and personal history, were included. A Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was performed to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR), with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results.: A total of 315 older adults were included in the analysis, of whom 193 (n=61.3%) were women. It was found that 113 (n=35.9%) presented sarcopenia and 115 (n=36.5%) had functional dependence. In the adjusted Poisson regression analysis, it was found that sarcopenia was significantly associated with a higher probability of functional dependence (PR=1.43; 95%CI: 1.05-1.95). Furthermore, frailty (PR=2.07; 95%CI: 1.27-3.38), subjective memory complaint (PR=1.40; 95%CI: 1.02-1.91), and hearing loss (PR=1.53; 95%CI: 1.09-2.14) were also factors associated with greater functional dependence. Conclusions.: In rural Amazonian communities, sarcopenia in older adults is associated with functional dependence. Its early identification is fundamental to prevent functional dependence and guide comprehensive health interventions.
SN - 1726-4634
SN - 1726-4642
ER -