| Title: | High prevalence of probable sarcopenia and its associations with nutrition, cognitive, and physical function in hospitalized patients with Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome : a cross-sectional study |
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| Authors: | ID Simič, Vesna (Author)
ID Mohorko, Nina (Author)
ID Rus Prelog, Polona (Author) |
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| Files: |  https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/2/347
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020347
 RAZ_Simic_Vesna_2026.pdf (653,67 KB)
MD5: AC75E9E79DDC9B0376656F920E4C4504
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Unknown |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FVZ - Faculty of Health Sciences
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| Abstract: | Background: Probable sarcopenia, indicated by low handgrip strength, is a prevalent condition among hospitalized older adults and may reflect broader functional and nutritional decline. Methods: We examined differences in nutritional, functional, and cognitive status between Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome (ACS) patients with probable sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 194 hospitalized older adults with ACS. Probable sarcopenia was defined using European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) handgrip strength thresholds. Results: Patients with probable sarcopenia (n = 137) had significantly lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), albumin, hemoglobin, and gait speed compared to those without. After age and sex adjustment, MMSE (p = 0.023), GNRI (p = 0.002), hemoglobin (p = 0.022), albumin (p = 0.003), and gait speed (p < 0.001) remained significantly different. In the sex- and age-adjusted multivariable model (adjusted R2 = 0.442), higher nutritional risk (β = 0.26, p = < 0.001), lower MMSE scores (β = 0.17, p = 0.029), polypharmacy (β = −4.20, p = 0.002), and slower gait speed (β = 4.12, p = 0.010) were associated with reduced handgrip strength. In the multivariable binary logistic regression model (adjusted for age and sex), moderate or high nutritional risk and slow gait speed emerged as independent predictors of probable sarcopenia, with OR 5.14 (95% CI 1.34–19.75; p = 0.017) and OR 3.13 (95% CI 1.30–7.52; p = 0.011), respectively. Conclusions: Probable sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults with ACS is highly prevalent and is associated with higher nutritional risk, poorer cognitive and physical function, and polypharmacy; its early recognition may help to guide more targeted nutritional and functional interventions. |
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| Keywords: | sarcopenia, muscle strength, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive function, gait speed, nutrition risk |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 21.01.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-16 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 18, iss. 2, [article no.] 347 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/RUP-22531  |
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| UDC: | 616.74-007.23 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2072-6643 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/nu18020347 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 266019075 |
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| Publication date in RUP: | 25.01.2026 |
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| Views: | 25 |
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| Downloads: | 0 |
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