ASSOCIATION OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES WITH SARCOPENIA AND OTHER GERIATRIC SYNDROMES

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the association between two most common neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, with sarcopenia and other common geriatric syndromes. Materials and Method: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, patients admitted to the geriatrics outpatient clinic for the first time were included. Patients who were under 65 years of age and who presented a history of acute severe diseases that may impair the general health status or with malignancies (except being in full remission for at least 5 years) were excluded. Results: A total of 339 (243 females) patients were included. The prevalence of geriatric syndromes among the participants was as follows: 225 (66.4%) patients had polypharmacy; 111 (32.7%) had sarcopenia; 100 (29.5%) had osteoporosis; 95 (28%) had depression; 83 (24.5%) had malnutrition; 62 (18.3%) had urinary incontinence; 31 (9.1%) had insomnia, and 30 (8.8%) had delirium. Sixty-four patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and 30 with Parkinson’s disease. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Alzheimer’s disease was significantly associated with sarcopenia [p=0.036, odds ratio (OR)=2.048, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.049–3.998] and delirium (p<0.001, OR=16.365, 95% CI=6.103–43.880). Parkinson’s disease was significantly associated with sarcopenia (p=0.014, OR=2.744, 95% CI=1.231–6.116). Conclusion: To our best knowledge, the present study is the first to evaluate the association between the two most common neurodegenerative diseases and multiple geriatric syndromes. Sarcopenia is the common independent factor for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, screening for sarcopenia in patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease is important in routine practice.