Background: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with age. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for sarcopenia in Vietnam.
Method: This cross-sectional study is part of the ongoing Vietnam Osteoporosis Study project. This study involved 1350 women and 617 men aged 50 years or above as at 2015 (study entry). Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Anthropometric and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS 2019). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between potential risk factors and sarcopenia.
Results: Based on one the AWGS criteria, the prevalence of sarcopenia in women and men was 13.99% (n = 1350) and 14% (n = 617), respectively. In women, age (odds ratio [OR] per 10 years: 1.04; 95% CI 1.02 – 1.06), overweight (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.16 - 0.34), and low physical activities (OR 1.5; 95%CI (1.1 – 2.15) were independently associated with increased risk of sarcopenia. In men, age (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.12 – 1.15) and overweight (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.15 - 0.5) were significant risk factors for sarcopenia.
Conclusion: Sarcopenia is common in community-dwelling Vietnamese adults, particularly among those with advancing age, overweight and low physical activity.