Preoperative assessment of sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia prevalence in bariatric surgery candidates over 60.

The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity (SO) in bariatric surgery candidates over 60 years was 42%, with no significant differences between sexes.

• Study included 109 bariatric surgery candidates over 60 years at a single tertiary care university hospital.
• Mean age of participants was 64.1 (±2.9) years; 36% were male.
• SO was defined using ESPEN/EASO (2022) consensus criteria.
• The prevalence of SO was primarily driven by greater impairment in the 5-times sit-to-stand test (39.8%).
• No significant sex differences were found in SO prevalence.

The prevalence of osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) in bariatric surgery candidates over 60 years was 26.8%, largely attributed to a higher prevalence of osteopenia in females.

• OSO was defined using ESPEN/EASO (2022) consensus criteria.
• OSO prevalence of 26.8% was observed in the 109-participant cohort.
• The higher OSO prevalence was largely attributed to greater osteopenia rates in female participants.
• Assessment included bone mineral density (BMD) measurement as part of the OSO evaluation.

Participants with sarcopenic obesity had lower bone mineral density and lower physical activity levels compared to those without SO.

• BMD was assessed as part of the comprehensive preoperative body composition evaluation.
• Physical activity levels were measured as part of the study protocol.
• Lower PA levels and lower BMD were specifically associated with SO status.
• These findings suggest overlapping musculoskeletal and metabolic consequences in SO patients.

Among obesity-related pathologies assessed, only obstructive sleep apnea was more prevalent in male bariatric surgery candidates over 60.

• Multiple metabolic pathologies associated with obesity were evaluated across all 109 participants.
• Sex differences in obesity-related comorbidities were examined.
• Obstructive sleep apnea was the sole obesity-related pathology showing a statistically significant sex difference, being more prevalent in males.
• No other assessed obesity-related pathologies showed significant differences between sexes.

The 5-times sit-to-stand test was the most commonly impaired component in the assessment of sarcopenic obesity, affecting 39.8% of participants.

• The study used multiple assessments including anthropometry, body composition, muscle strength and function tests.
• The 5-times sit-to-stand test result of 39.8% impairment was the primary driver of the 42% SO prevalence.
• Muscle strength and function assessments were conducted as part of the ESPEN/EASO (2022) criteria application.
• This indicates that functional muscle impairment, rather than muscle mass alone, was the predominant sarcopenia criterion met in this population.

This prospective cross-sectional study used a comprehensive preoperative assessment protocol including body composition, muscle strength and function, bone mineral density, and physical activity levels in bariatric surgery candidates over 60.

• The study was conducted at a single tertiary care university hospital.
• Sample size was 109 bariatric surgery candidates over 60 years.
• Assessments included anthropometry, body composition (BC), muscle strength and function, bone mineral density (BMD), and physical activity (PA) levels.
• SO and OSO were defined using ESPEN/EASO (2022) consensus criteria.
• The study design was prospective and cross-sectional.