Prevalence of sarcopenia in nursing home from diverse ethnic background residents in London, UK

Abstract

Background: It was estimated that in the UK, 1.3 million people over 65 suffer from malnutrition and the majority (93%) live in the community. Poverty, financial isolation, and inequality impact on black and minority ethnic populations are common in London Borough of Newham (LBN). In 2021, London poverty profile census found 35% poverty in Newham². The prevalence of malnutrition in East Ham constitution in LBN is 5.82% and national average is 4.98%³. European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) defined sarcopenia as low muscle mass, low muscle strength or low physical performance. Frailty in older people is associated with an increased risk of morbidity, mortality, falls, dependency, disability and hospitalizations as well as higher health care costs. Early diagnosis and regular screening of sarcopenia in long-term care homes would help to reduce falls, hospitalizations and mortality. MUST(Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) is a widely used screening tool to identify malnutrition in the UK. This audit compares the prevalence of sarcopenia in residents who had MUST score. Aim(s): To identify the prevalence of sarcopenia, compare to MUST in nursing home residents > 60 years in Newham borough, East London, England, United kingdom. Method(s): MUST⁴ was captured from all the residents using height, weight, BMI, weight loss score( MUST score: 0- Low risk, 1- Medium risk 2 or more - High risk). To identify the prevalence of sarcopenia, SARC-F⁵ (Strength, Assistance walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs and falls) a questionnaire screening tool is used. Three nursing homes in LBN were identified and residents >60 years were included for these screenings. Muscle strength was measured using GRIPX electronic hand dynamometer(EH101). Result(s): 124 residents from three identified nursing homes were screened for MUST and SARC-F. Sarcopenia was found in 53.1% (66) residents(Figure 1) .Of these 66 residents, only 21.2% identified having MUST score >2 which means majority of these residents was not identified to have sarcopenia. This demonstrates SARC-F is required in screening for sarcopenia. Conclusion(s): Over 50% of residents are identified with sarcopenia using SARC-F which were not identified by MUST. This audit demonstrates SARC-F could be recommended alongside MUST to identify Sarcopenia in nursing home residents. This will allow early dietetic intervention for the management of sarcopenia and malnutrition in timely manner. [Formula presented] References 1. Introduction to Malnutrition, BAPEN. Accessed June 2024, at http://www.bapen.org.uk/about-malnutrition/introduction-to-malnutrition?showall=&start=4 2. Future Health. Hiding in plain sight: tackling malnutrition as part of the prevention agenda (Accessed October 2023, available at: https://www.futurehealth-research.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hiding-in-plain-sight-Web-FINAL.pdf ) 3. Future Health. Hiding in plain sight: tackling malnutrition as part of the prevention agenda (Accessed October 2023, available at: https://www.futurehealth-research.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hiding-in-plain-sight-Web-FINAL.pdf ) 4. BAPEN. Malnutrition Universal screening Tool. Available at: https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/must/must_full.pdf. 5. CGA Toolkit. SARC-F. Available at: https://www.cgakit.com/sarc-f-questionnaire Copyright © 2025