| Abstract [eng] |
In today's society, where the number of elderly people is increasing, it is crucial to focus on their health and quality of life. The aging process is often accompanied by various health disorders that directly affect the physical capacity, independence, and overall quality of life of older adults. Among the most significant health challenges in this age group are malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty syndrome. Although each of these conditions has distinct diagnostic criteria and clinical features, research indicates that they may be interrelated. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of comprehensive studies in the literature that systematically analyze the interaction between malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty syndrome, as well as their combined impact on the health of the elderly. The aim of this study is to examine and evaluate the prevalence of frailty syndrome, sarcopenia, and malnutrition among older adults and to identify the interconnections between these conditions. The study seeks to answer how nutritional status influences the occurrence of sarcopenia and frailty syndrome, as well as which factors increase the risk of these conditions. Standardized assessment methods and reliable diagnostic tools were used during the study to accurately identify malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty syndrome. Nutritional status was assessed using the Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), which allows for the quick identification of individuals at risk of malnutrition. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using handgrip dynamometry, body composition analysis (via DXA scan), and physical performance tests evaluating muscle strength and endurance. Frailty syndrome was determined based on Fried’s criteria, which include five key indicators: unintentional weight loss, fatigue, reduced physical activity, weakened grip strength, and slowed walking speed. The results revealed a statistically significant association between nutritional status and both frailty syndrome and sarcopenia. Data analysis showed that nutritional status strongly correlates with frailty syndrome (χ² = 51.286, p < 0.001) and sarcopenia (χ² = 58.622, p < 0.001). The study also demonstrated that malnutrition and sarcopenia frequently co-occur and significantly increase the risk of frailty syndrome (p < 0.001). Additionally, it was found that individuals with frailty syndrome have a 12-fold higher risk of developing sarcopenia compared to those without the syndrome (Exp(B) = 12.417; 95 % PI [3.07; 50.30]; p < 0.001). |
