Prevalence of Sarcopenia Among Slovenian Older Adults and Associated Risk Factors
Katarina PUŠ
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology ResearchKoper, Slovenia
- Alma Mater Europaea University, Department of Health Sciences, MariborMaribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Sport, University of LjubljanaLjubljana, Slovenia
Profilo Orcid, Saša PIŠOT
Profilo Orcid, Uroš MARUŠIČ
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology ResearchKoper, Slovenia
- Alma Mater Europaea University, Department of Health Sciences, MariborMaribor, Slovenia
Profilo Orcid, Manca PESKAR
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology ResearchKoper, Slovenia
- Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Faculty V: Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, Technische Universität BerlinBerlin, Germany
Profilo Orcid, Kaja TERAŽ
- Science and Research Centre Koper, Institute for Kinesiology ResearchKoper, Slovenia
- Clinical University Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences, University of TriesteTrieste, Italy
Profilo Orcid, Miloš KALC
Profilo Orcid, Helena BLAŽUN VOŠNER
Profilo Orcid, Peter KOKOL
Profilo Orcid, Jernej ZAVRŠNIK
Profilo Orcid e Boštjan ŠIMUNIČ
Profilo Orcid 
Categoria dell'articolo: Original scientific article
Pubblicato online: 28 feb 2025
Pagine: 103 - 111
Ricevuto: 18 set 2024
Accettato: 07 gen 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2025-0013
Parole chiave
© 2025 Katarina PUŠ et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Introduction
Sarcopenia is a multifaceted condition affecting between 10 and 16% of the global population, and although multiple classification algorithms exist, no prevalence has been reported for a representative sample of the Slovenian population. Furthermore, multiple behavioural factors, such as malnutrition, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and lower cognitive function, can contribute to the risk of sarcopenia. This study aims to: a) determine sarcopenia prevalence among Slovenian older adults according to different classification algorithms, b) compare the agreement among the algorithms and c) evaluate the relationship between proposed risk factors and sarcopenia.
Methods
654 participants (≥60 years, 30.4% males) have been classified into sarcopenia groups according to eight algorithms, and agreement (Fleiss K) between them was calculated. Additionally, age, sex, nutritional status, physical activity, sedentary levels and cognitive function were assessed as sarcopenia risk/protective factors.
Results
The prevalence of sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 was 4.1%, ranging from 2.1% to 15.3%, when classified by all eight algorithms. Overall agreement between algorithms was weak (K=.429; 95% CI .414 to .444) with 0.6% of participants classified as sarcopenic by all eight algorithms. Adequate nutrition and physical activity were identified as protective factors, while age, lower cognitive function and sedentary lifestyle were considered risk factors.
Conclusion
Sarcopenia prevalence among the Slovenian general population was lower than in the global population. We can conclude that different sarcopenia algorithms lead to a different prevalence of sarcopenia. It is of great importance to be cautious when comparing prevalences among studies and to further validate the classification algorithms.