Dynapenic obesity: A disregarded disease that affects functionality and nutrition of the older patients

Objective: Dynapenia is the age-associated loss of muscle strength without neurological or muscular disease. It is associated with physical dependence, low physical performance, falls, cognitive impairment and increased mortality in older adults. Obesity incidence increases rapidly in older adults, but in the literature, there are limited studies on dynapenic obesity and its complications. We aimed to determine the frequency of dynapenia in geriatric obese patients, examine the effect of dynapenic obesity on the functionality and the nutritional state and increase awareness of dynapenic obesity. Materials and Methods:177 obese geriatric patients admitted to geriatrics and endocrinology clinics divided into two groups as dynapenic or non-dynapenic according to last diagnostic criteria, depending on handgrip strength. Demographic and laboratory data, Activities of daily living, Instrumental Activities of Daily-Living, Mini- Nutritional Assessment, body mass index, and handgrip strength were investigated. Differences between the two groups were analysed by the SPSS 20.0 program. Results: 17.5% of the subjects had dynapenia. Dynapenic geriatric patients were older (p=0.028), had lower mini-nutritional test scores (p= 0.009), activities of daily living (p=0.007), instrumental activities of daily living (p 0.001), creatinine levels (p=0.023), and albumin levels (p=0.049). Conclusion: Dynapenic obesity is associated with worse functionality and malnutrition. Realising the natural history of patients with dynapenia and obesity is critically needed.