Risk factors of frailty/sarcopenia in community older adults: Meta-analysis

Objective This study aimed to review the rates of physical frailty and sarcopenia, as well as associated risk factors, among adults aged 60 and older living in the community. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Wiley Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2000 to December 2024. The review followed PRISMA guidelines for meta-analysis. Results Sixteen studies with 41,765 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of frailty/sarcopenia was 27% (95% CI: 19–35%). Specifically, the pooled prevalence of frailty was 25% (95% CI: 16–38%) and that of sarcopenia was 23% (95% CI: 13–37%). Age, malnutrition, depression, falls, and hypertension were identified as significant risk factors for frailty/sarcopenia. Conclusion Nearly 30% of older adults in the community are affected by frailty/sarcopenia. Early identification of these risk factors is crucial for the prevention and management of frailty/sarcopenia. Further research is needed to determine effective interventions and strategies to reduce the incidence of frailty/sarcopenia.