Abstract

Background: The association between depression and sarcopenia is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia in older individuals requiring long-term care.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the baseline data of 121 older individuals who needed support and long-term care in their daily lives and received daycare for adults between March 2019 and March 2021. We defined sarcopenia using diagnostic algorithms recommended by the Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia 2019 and classified all participants into three categories—robust, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15.

Results: Of the 121 participants, 57.9% were classified as having depressive symptoms. Participants with depressive symptoms had significantly more illnesses, including cerebrovascular disease, malnutrition, and sarcopenia, than those without depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis showed that the depression was associated with skeletal muscle mass but not with grip strength or walking speed.

Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are associated with cerebrovascular disease, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. In terms of the diagnostic factors for sarcopenia, depressive symptoms were associated with skeletal muscle mass but not with grip strength or walking speed.