Dynapenic obesity: A disregarded disease that affects functionality and nutrition of the older patients

Abstract

Objective: Dynapenia is the age-associated loss of muscle strength without neurological or muscular disease. It is associated with physical dependence, low physical performance, falls, cognitive impairment and increased mortality in the elderly. Obesity incidence increases rapidly in the elderly, but in the literature, there are limited studies on dynapenic obesity and its complications. We aimed to determine the frequency of dynapenia in elderly obese patients, examine the effect of dynapenic obesity on the functionality and the nutritional state and increase awareness of dynapenic obesity.

Materials and Methods:177 obese elderly admitted to geriatrics and endocrinology clinics divided into two groups as dynapenic or non-dynapenic according to last diagnostic criteria, depending on handgrip strength. Demographic and laboratory data, Activities of daily living, Instrumental Activities of Daily-Living, Mini-Nutritional Assessment, body mass index, and handgrip strength were also investigated. Differences between the two groups were analysed by the SPSS 20.0 program.

Results: 17.5% of the subjects had dynapenia. Dynapenic elderly were older (p=0.028), had lower mini-nutritional test scores (p= 0.009), activities of daily living (p=0.007), instrumental activities of daily living (p <0.001), creatinine levels (p=0.023), and albumin levels (p=0.049).

Conclusion: Dynapenic obese patients have a higher risk of disability and malnutrition than obese patients. Realising the natural history of patients with dynapenia and obesity is critically needed.