Sarcopenia, but not malnutrition, is associated with fear of falling in older patients with dementia

• Published in: Northern Clinics of Istanbul 2024-01, Vol.11 (1), p.45-51
• Main Authors: Okudur, Saadet Koc, Smith, Lee, Tan, Semen Gokce, Yigitalp, Veliye, Soysal, Pinar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Aged patients; Alfacalcidol; Calcifediol; Cognitive ability; Dementia; Falls; Folic acid; Geriatrics; Malnutrition; Medical screening; Nutrition; Nutritional status; Original Geriatrics; Product/Service Evaluations; Sarcopenia; Vitamin D
• ISSN: 2148-4902; 2536-4553
• DOI: 10.14744/nci.2023.07717

Fear of falling (FoF) is common in patients with cognitive impairment. However, the role of sarcopenia and malnutrition, which are two important factors that cause falls, on FoF is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the association between FoF and malnutrition and sarcopenia in older patients with dementia. Two hundred and sixty-six dementia patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) was applied to assign and classify FoF. Scores for the FES-I scale were categorized as ≥28, 20-27, or 16-19, representing high concern, moderate, and no or low concern about FoF, respectively. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores 23.5 were categorized as malnutrition, malnutrition risk, and well-nourished, respectively. Sarcopenia was defined using the SARC-F tool. SARC-F score ≥4 was categorized as sarcopenia. Serum folate, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D deficiencies were also evaluated. The relationship between FoF groups and nutritional status, presence of sarcopenia, and micronutrient status was evaluated. The mean age was 80.83±6.61 years. The prevalence of moderate and high FoF in dementia patients was 51%. There was a significant difference in terms of cerebrovascular events, the history of falling, instrumental and basic activities of daily living (IADL and BADL), MNA, and SARC-F scores between the FoF groups (p0.05). Sarcopenia is associated with the severity of FoF, but malnutrition or micronutrient deficiencies are not associated with the severity of FoF in older patients with dementia.