To compare the ability of methods based on skeletal muscle index (SMI) and another one by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) based on both muscle mass and physical function in identifying older adults with sarcopenia. Anthropometric measurements and physical performance (hand grip strength and gait speed) were performed. In order to determine the value of SMI, body impedance analysis was also carried out. A total of 426 older adults, mostly women (60.8%) with mean age of 68.4 ± 6.2 years participated in this study. Methods based on SMI and EWGSOP identified 50.5% and 32.2% older adults as sarcopenic respectively. Method based on SMI showed a significantly higher percentage of men (70.7%) were sarcopenic as compared to women (37.5%) (p < 0.05). No such difference was noted for EWGSOP method, with 28.7% of men were sarcopenic as compared to women (34.4%). Binary logistic regression indicated that aged 75 years and above (adjusted odds ratio: 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.9 – 5.6) and having arthritis (adjusted odds ratio: 2.5, confidence interval: 1.3 – 4.7) to be associated with sarcopenia as assessed using method recommended by EWGSOP. The lower prevalence of sarcopenia by EWGSOP as compared to SMI may be due to the more comprehensive method by EWGSOP. Further research regarding validation of these two screening methods against a gold standard of screening for sarcopenia is needed in order to identify the best method..

Diabetes is often associated with dysfunction in activities of daily living (ADL), especially among older adults.Hospitalisation of older adults is often followed by decline in functional status affecting their quality of life and well-beingafter discharge. The objective of this study was to determine the functional independence in carrying out basic activitiesof daily living, its relationship with quality of life, and the factors influencing the quality of life in hospitalised olderadults with diabetes. This cross sectional study was carried out on 104 diabetic patients (mean age: 67.5 ± 9.2 years) whowere receiving in-patient treatment. Face-to-face interviews were carried out to determine functional independence usingModified Barthel Index (MBI) as well as quality of life using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life instrument(WHOQOL-BREF). Results showed that only 37.5% (n = 39) respondents were catergorised as being fully-independent.Among the domains in MBI, using the stairs recorded the lowest score followed by mobility. The physical domain in qualityof life also recorded the lowest score compared to other domains of quality of life. There were significant (p < 0.05),positive correlations between the overall MBI scores and all domains of quality of life; physical (rs = 0.70), psychology(rs = 0.50), social (rs = 0.33) and environmental (rs = 0.25). Hierachical multiple regression analysis showed MBI scoreshad significant influence on all domains of quality of life, with the largest influence on the physical domain i.e. 36% [F(1,92) = 82.14, p < 0.01, R2 = .36]. As a conclusion, hospitalisation reduces the functional independence in carrying outbasic activities of daily living as well as the physical aspect of quality life in older adults with diabetes. Therefore, it isimportant to provide rehabilitation in activities of daily living while the elderly diabetics while undergoing in-patienttreatment in order to maintain quality of life after discharge.

Introduction: Sarcopenia is one of the geriatric syndromes affecting the ability of older adults to lead an independent living. However, its risk factors among Malaysian older adults are yet to be determined. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults in Klang Valley. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 393 Malaysians aged 60 and above, residing in urban areas of Klang Valley recruited through convenience sampling. Socio-demographic and food intake information were obtained using validated questionnaires. Cut-off points for sarcopenia screening were obtained from the Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia(AWGS) while body impedance analysis(BIA) was employed to determine skeletal muscle index. A handgrip dynamometer was used to assess dominant handgrip strength and a 6-meter gait speed test was used to determine walking speed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of sarcopenia. Results: Prevalence of sarcopenia was 33.6% and women(35.9%) were more affected compared to men(30.1%). The mean age of women assessed to have sarcopenia(69.1±6.5 years old) was higher compared to men(68.3±5.8 years old) (p<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, older adults with one year increased in age and one mg decreased in habitual dietary iron intake were estimated to be 1.08 times and 0.93 times the chances to have sarcopenia respectively. Conclusion: Approximately one-third of community-dwelling older adults in Klang Valley were assessed to have sarcopenia. Older adults aged 60 years and above and those with low dietary iron intake were at an increased risk of developing sarcopenia.