| Abstract [eng] |
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Conversely, frailty is defined by increased vulnerability and a reduced ability to cope with daily or acute stressors due to age-related decline in the physiological and functional reserves of various organs. While the precise relationship between sarcopenia and frailty remains incompletely understood, both conditions share similar clinical consequences, associations, and presumed pathophysiology. Arterial hypertension is a cardiovascular syndrome resulting from complex and interrelated etiological factors, while multimorbidity refers to the presence of two or more chronic conditions diagnosed in the same individual. Multimorbidity is associated with impaired functional independence, diminished quality of life, psychological distress, post-operative complications, and polypharmacy. The objective of this study was to assess the association of primary arterial hypertension and multiborbidity with frailty and sarcopenia within a cohort of elderly individuals. Our study comprised 58 people aged 65 years and above. We examined the prevalence of frailty, sarcopenia, frailty and sarcopenia, primary arterial hypertension, multimorbidity among men and women. Our findings revealed that frailty was diagnosed in 19 subjects (32.8%), sarcopenia was present in 9 (15.5%) participants, and concurrent frailty and sarcopenia in 9 (15.5%). Statistically significant differences were observed between men and women in the diagnosis of sarcopenia (χ2=6.729, p=0.02) and the coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia (χ2=6.729, p=0.02). However, no statistically significant differences were detected between genders in the prevalence of primary arterial hypertension (p=0.412) or multimorbidity (p=0.171). Statistically significant association was identified between frailty and primary arterial hypertension (χ2=4.779, p=0.043). Furthermore, our results indicated no statistically significant associations between 1) sarcopenia and multimorbidity (p=0.673); 2) primary arterial hypertension (p=0.668); 3) the combination of sarcopenia, frailty, and primary arterial hypertension (p=0.668); 4) no significant associations were observed between frailty and primary arterial hypertension (p=0.350). |
