ABSTRACT Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by the progressive and widespread loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, with a risk of adverse outcomes such as disability, reduced quality of life and death. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associated factors in cardiac patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in a public hospital in northeast Brazil, involving patients aged ≥60 years with coronary artery disease. Sarcopenia was determined by muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis) and skeletal muscle mass index by a predictive equation, muscle strength (measured by grip strength) and physical performance (driving speed test). We tested relationships between sarcopenia and socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, nutritional and lifestyle variables. Results: We evaluated 148 patients, with an average age of 73.9±7.4years. We observed a prevalence of sarcopenia of 62.8%; of which 72% were classified as having severe sarcopenia. The variables associated with sarcopenia were male sex (p= 0.014), age >80 years (p= 0.005), and being malnourished according to BMI (p< 0.001), arm circumference (p= 0.006) and calf circumference (p= 0.045); the other variables were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of sarcopenia in our sample was high. We found that sarcopenia related to sex, age, and nutritional status.

RESUMEN La sarcopenia se define como un síndrome caracterizado por una pérdida progresiva y generalizada de la masa muscular y la fuerza del esqueleto, con un riesgo de resultados adversos como la discapacidad, la reducción de la calidad de vida y de muerte. Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia de sarcopenia y sus factores asociados en pacientes cardíacos Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en el hospital público del noreste de Brasil, en el que participaron pacientes mayores de 60 años con enfermedad coronaria. La sarcopenia fue determinada por la masa muscular (análisis de impedancia bioeléctrica y ecuación predictiva para determinar el índice de masa muscular esquelético), la fuerza muscular (medida por la fuerza de agarre) y el rendimiento físico (prueba de velocidad de conducción). Entre la asociación de variables se consideraron aspectos socioeconómicos, demográficos, clínicos, nutricionales y de estilo de vida. Resultados: Fueron evaluados 148 pacientes, con una edad promedio de 73,9±7,4 años. Se observó una prevalencia de sarcopenia del 62,8%; incluyendo un 72% clasificado como severamente sarcopénico. Las variables asociadas a sarcopenia fueron sexo masculino (p= 0,014), edad > 80 años (p= 0,005) y desnutrida según IMC (p< 0,001), CB (p= 0,006) y CP (p= 0,045); las otras variables no fueron estadísticamente significativas. Conclusión: La prevalencia de sarcopenia fue mayor, se encontró en una asociación con el género, un aumento en la edad, y el estado nutricional desfavorable.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a relação entre sarcopenia e obesidade sarcopênica como preditores de prognóstico em pacientes idosos com infarto agudo do miocárdio internados. Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo pacientes idosos com infarto agudo do miocárdio, hospitalizados no período de abril a julho de 2015, em serviço público, no Nordeste brasileiro. A sarcopenia foi determinada por meio das medidas de massa muscular, força muscular e desempenho físico. Foram utilizados os marcadores de risco cardiovascular e de prognóstico, como os valores de troponina e da isoenzima MB da creatinina quinase, classificação do infarto agudo do miocárdio de acordo com a elevação do segmento ST e o escore de risco de trombólise em infarto do miocárdio. Resultados: Foram avaliados 99 pacientes, com média de idade de 71,6 (±7,4) anos. Verificou-se prevalência de sarcopenia de 64,6% e 35,4% de obesidade sarcopênica. A sarcopenia foi mais prevalente no sexo masculino (p=0,017), na faixa etária >80 anos (p=0,008). Dentre os marcadores de risco cardiovascular, apenas o escore de risco trombólise em infarto do miocárdio esteve estatisticamente associado à sarcopenia (p=0,002). Conclusão: A prevalência da sarcopenia foi elevada e se associou com o escore de risco de trombólise em infarto do miocárdio. A obesidade sarcopênica acometeu cerca de um terço dos pacientes e não se associou a nenhum parâmetro preditor prognóstico.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the potential value of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity as prognostic predictors in hospitalized elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on data collected from elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction, admitted to a public hospital located in the Northeastern region of Brazil, from April to July 2015. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance measurements. Cardiovascular risk and prognostic markers, such as troponin and creatine kynase MB isoenzyme values, acute myocardial infarction classification according to ST segment elevation, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction score were used. Results: The sample comprised 99 patients with mean age of 71.6 (±7.4) years. Prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was 64.6% and 35.4%, respectively. Sarcopenia was more prevalent among males (p=0.017) aged >80 years (p=0.008). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction was the only marker of cardiovascular risk significantly associated with sarcopenia (p=0.002). Conclusion: Prevalence of sarcopenia was high and associated with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk score. Sarcopenic obesity affected approximately one-third of patients and was not associated with any of the prognostic predictors.