Sarcopenia in geriatric patients from the plateau region of Qinghai- Tibet: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass,which depends on an assessment of muscle strength and muscle mass.It has been reported that the prevalence of sarcopenia in non-hospitalized elderly people was 9.0%-18.5%in the lowland plains.However,epidemiological investigations of sarcopenia in plateau regions are limited.The city of Xining in Qinghai Province(altitude 2260 m)is the sole point of access to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.We hypothesized that the diverse ethnicities or dietary habits of the people living in the plateau may influence the prevalence of sarcopenia.AIM To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in geriatric patients from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau region.METHODS From October to December 2018,150 hospitalized geriatric patients(72.4±5.60 years)from Xining City(altitude 2260 m)in Qinghai Province were recruited.Collected data included demographics,history of fall,nutritional status,self-care ability,depression,handgrip,muscle mass,and 6-m gait speed.Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the 2014 criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia.RESULTS The overall rate of sarcopenia was 20%(8.7 and 11.3%in men and women,respectively).Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that widowhood and a history of falling were associated with sarcopenia,while higher body mass index and beef and mutton consumption were protective.CONCLUSION The prevalence of sarcopenia in hospitalized geriatric patients in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau region was higher than that in the plain region and in non-hospitalized geriatric people(reported elsewhere).Specific cultural features of the region,including ethnicity,brewed tea and ghee consumption,were not significantly associated with sarcopenia.Higher body mass index and consumption of beef and mutton were protective,while patients who were widowed or with a history of falling were at increased risk.

Health care worker occupational experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Health care workers treating coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients experience burnout and stress due to overwork and poor working conditions.AIM To investigate the work experiences of frontline health care workers in Wuhan city and Qinghai province,China,during the COVID-19 outbreak.METHODS In this cross-sectional descriptive study,a self-reported questionnaire was designed to evaluate work experiences of medical staff throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.A total of 178 health care workers responded to the questionnaire between February 19 and 29,2020.Higher questionnaire dimensional score confirmed dimensional advantage.RESULTS Of all dimensions evaluated by this questionnaire,the occupational value dimension had the highest mean score of 2.61(0.59),followed by the support/security dimension score of 2.30(0.74).Occupational protection scored lowest at 1.44(0.75),followed by work environment at 1.97(0.81).The social relationships dimension had an intermediate score of 2.06(0.80).Significant differences in working conditions were observed across hospital departments,with the fever ward scoring lowest.Total scores also differed significantly across workplaces;the fever outpatient department scored lowest(P<0.01).This phenomenon was likely due to the fact that work in the fever outpatient department,where many patients present to hospital,necessitates constant contact with a large number of individuals with insufficient provision of resources(such as protective equipment and social support).Medical workers in the fever outpatient department were burdened with a fear of COVID-19 infection and a lower sense of professional value as compared to workers in other hospital departments.Medical staff in Wuhan worked longer hours(P<0.01)as compared to elsewhere.The mean support/security dimension score was higher for tertiary hospital as compared to secondary hospital medical staff as well as for Wuhan area as compared to Qinghai region staff(P<0.01).Staff in Wuhan had a lower mean work environment score as compared to staff in Qinghai(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Medical staff treating COVID-19 patients in China report poor occupational experiences strongly affected by work environment,occupational protection and social relationships.Health care managers must address the occupational needs of medical staff by ensuring a supportive and safe work environment.

Comparison of the prevalence of sarcopenia in geriatric patients in Xining based on three different diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass,which depends on an assessment of muscle strength and muscle mass.The diagnostic definition of sarcopenia varies by region.AIM To determine the optimal diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia in a plateau population.Cut off values for the components of diagnostic algorithms for sarcopenia in plateau populations should consider altitude.METHODS One hundred and fifty subjects aged>60 years attending a tertiary comprehensive hospital in the city of Xining(elevation:2260 m)between October and December 2018 were enrolled.Handgrip strength,muscle mass,and physical performance were measured.Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia(AWGS)2019 criteria,Beijing criteria,and Lasha criteria.RESULTS Across diagnostic criteria,there were significant differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia in the overall population and stratified by gender.The prevalence of sarcopenia measured by the AWGS 2019 or Lasha criteria was significantly higher in female compared to male subjects.In males,the prevalence of sarcopenia measured by the Beijing criteria was significantly higher in subjects who identified as Han compared to Minority.In females,there were no significant differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia by ethnicity according to any criteria.CONCLUSION The Lasha criteria provided a lower prevalence of sarcopenia(males,8.7%;females,22.41%;overall,14%)and were able to differentiate between males and females.The Lasha criteria are likely most appropriate for detection of sarcopenia in this plateau population.We recommend the Lasha criteria for detection of sarcopenia in Xining.