The effect of sarcopenic obesity on the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with visual impairment

BACKGROUND. The presence of sarcopenia and obesity, called "sarcopenic obesity", is associated with a decrease in functional activity and mobility, as well as an increased risk of falls and fractures. However, the study of clinical characteristics and geriatric syndromes in elderly patients with visual impairment and sarcopenic obesity has not been conducted.

AIMS: to study the effect of sarcopenic obesity on clinical characteristics and geriatric syndromes in elderly patients with visual impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. 203 elderly patients with visual impairment were examined. Sarcopenic obesity was understood to be a combination of sarcopenia and obesity in the same visually impaired patient, characterized by simultaneous accumulation of body fat and loss of muscle mass. Obesity was assessed by a body mass index of ≥30.0 kg/m2, and sarcopenia on a scale by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in older people. The study used the Short Physical Performance Battery index, ADL, ADL, CES-D scale. A mini nutrition assessment (MNA) was used to study the nutritional status.

RESULTS. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 51,7%. Single elderly people with visual impairment had a higher chance of developing sarcopenic obesity compared to patients 60-74 years old with visual impairment without sarcopenic obesity (52,0±1,2% vs. 35,1±1,5%). The incidence of cognitive impairment was also higher in elderly patients with visual impairment and sarcopenic obesity. Sarcopenic obesity also affects the syndrome of senile asthenia and the number of falls in patients aged 60-74 with visual impairment. The body mass index of elderly patients with visual impairment and sarcopenic obesity was 32,1±1,1 kg/m2, which indicates the development of this disease.

CONCLUSION. Sarcopenic obesity affects the geriatric status of elderly patients with visual impairment, therefore, such patients, from the point of view of gerontoprophylaxis, require closer and dynamic monitoring by gerontologists and geriatricians, ophthalmologists.