Descriptive characteristics of the participants.

Background Physical functioning refers to the ability to perform daily living activities, namely basic activities, instrumental, and advanced activities. Poorer performance in these areas may indicate the potential presence of sarcopenia. Objectives To analyze the differences in physical function between older people with and without sarcopenia and to investigate the associations between physical function tests and sarcopenia. Methods A cross-sectional study based on data from older people from the Northern region of Brazil in the year 2018 was conducted. Study participants included 312 older people aged ≥ 60 years (64.1% female). Sarcopenia was defined using the updated criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). Physical functioning was measured using functional physical fitness tests (30-second chair stand test, chair sit-and-reach test, 8-foot Up-and-Go Test, 6-minute walk test, 4-meter gait speed, and the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale). Results Confirmed sarcopenia was detected in 29.2% of participants, but no participant had severe sarcopenia. Most physical function parameters in the crude analysis were associated with confirmed sarcopenia (all p < 0.05), except for the back scratch test. In a model adjusted for sex, age and body mass index, slower 4-meter gait speed (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.08 to 1.54), slower 8-foot up-and-go test time (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.16 to 1.49), greater chair sit-and-reach test (OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.94 to 0.99) and higher self-reported Composite Physical Function scores (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.89 to 0.99) were significantly associated with confirmed sarcopenia status. Conclusions EWGSOP2 confirmed sarcopenia is prevalent in older people residing in Brazil’s Northern region and is independently associated with slower walking speed and chair rising ability, reduced trunk and lower-limb flexibility, as well as poorer self-reported physical function.研究背景 身体功能指个体完成日常生活活动的能力，具体可分为基础性活动、工具性活动与进阶性活动三类。此类能力表现越差，越提示存在肌肉减少症（sarcopenia）的可能性。 研究目的 分析合并与未合并肌肉减少症的老年人群的身体功能差异，并探讨身体功能测试指标与肌肉减少症之间的关联。 研究方法 本研究为横断面研究，数据来源于2018年巴西北部地区的老年人群。共纳入312名年龄≥60岁的老年受试者，其中女性占比64.1%。肌肉减少症的诊断采用欧洲老年肌肉减少症工作组（EWGSOP2）最新发布的诊断标准。身体功能通过以下功能性体能测试进行评估：30秒椅上站立试验（30-second chair stand test）、坐椅伸距测试（chair sit-and-reach test）、8英尺起立行走测试（8-foot Up-and-Go Test）、6分钟步行试验（6-minute walk test）、4米步速测试（4-meter gait speed）以及富勒顿高级平衡量表（Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale）。 研究结果 本研究中29.2%的受试者被确诊为肌肉减少症，但无重度肌肉减少症病例。粗分析结果显示，除背搔试验（back scratch test）外，其余多数身体功能指标均与确诊肌肉减少症显著相关（所有p<0.05）。在校正性别、年龄与体质量指数的多因素模型中，较慢的4米步速（优势比OR=1.29，95%置信区间CI：1.08~1.54）、较长的8英尺起立行走测试时长（OR=1.32，95%CI：1.16~1.49）、较高的坐椅伸距测试得分（OR=0.97，95%CI：0.94~0.99）以及较高的自我报告综合身体功能评分（OR=0.94，95%CI：0.89~0.99）均与确诊肌肉减少症状态显著相关。 研究结论 采用EWGSOP2标准确诊的肌肉减少症在巴西北部地区老年人群中具有较高患病率，且与较慢的步行速度、较差的椅上站立能力、降低的躯干与下肢柔韧性以及较差的自我报告身体功能状态独立相关。