Feasibility of a Geriatric Assessment to Detect and Quantify Sarcopenia and Physical Functioning in German Nursing Home Residents—A Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Daniel Haigis, Rebekka Pomiersky, Dorothée Altmeier, Annika Frahsa, Gorden Sudeck, Ansgar Thiel, Gerhard Eschweiler, Andreas Michael Nieß
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Geriatrics
• Subjects: sarcopenia; prevalence; nursing home; physical functioning
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/6/3/69

Background: Entering into a nursing home leads to increased immobility and further reductions in physical and cognitive functioning. As a result, there is a risk of sarcopenia, which is characterized by loss of muscle strength, muscle mass and physical functioning. To our knowledge, the feasibility of sarcopenia screening has not yet been performed in the German nursing home setting. Methods: For sarcopenia screening, the specifications of EWGSOP2 were applied. The quantification of sarcopenia was performed according to the corresponding cut-off values. The collection of anthropometric data and the morbidity status were recorded. SARC-F, mini-mental state examination, Barthel Index, Short Physical Performance Battery and Timed Up and Go tests were implemented. Results: In one participant, severe sarcopenia could be identified. The quantification was not possible for four participants. A suspicion of sarcopenia was not confirmed in five participants. Only one person was able to perform all assessments. Conclusions: Sarcopenia screening according to EWGSOP2 presented satisfactory feasibility by nursing home residents. However, further tests to assess the physical functioning of the participants often could not be performed. Moreover, inconsistencies in individual assessments became apparent, leading to inconclusive analyses. The recording of sarcopenia prevalence in German nursing homes should be the goal of further research.