Investigating the Association Between Sarcopenia and Depression Among the Elderly in Suzhou, China: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and sarcopenia among the elderly population in Suzhou, China, in 2022, and to investigate the correlation between these two conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted as part of a collaborative project between Duke Kunshan University and West China University of Medical Sciences. The study involved 1,000 elderly patients from Suzhou, utilizing the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 diagnostic approach for possible sarcopenia and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms assessment. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression models. Results: Out of 638 participants analyzed, the prevalence of possible sarcopenia was found to be 21.9%, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 17.08%. No significant direct correlation was observed between depression and possible sarcopenia after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, and BMI. However, factors like age and BMI exhibited a significant association with possible sarcopenia. Conclusion: The study did not support the hypothesis that depression significantly influences the prevalence of possible sarcopenia among the elderly in Suzhou. Despite this, the findings highlight the importance of addressing both conditions in geriatric healthcare to improve quality of life. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms linking depression and sarcopenia.