Sarcopenia Risk, Bone Turnover and Metabolic Health Indices Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Ghana: An Observational Study

This study examined the risk of sarcopenia and its association with bone turnover markers, insulin resistance, and skeletal muscle mass among community-dwelling older adults in Ghana. In this cross-sectional study, 140 adults aged ≥60 years were assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire to estimate the risk of sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Omron HBF-514), and metabolic and bone turnover markers were measured in fasting blood samples. The prevalence of sarcopenia risk was 44.3%, with women facing more difficulties climbing stairs. The risk of sarcopenia was more common in older age groups. Sarcopenia risk was associated with higher insulin resistance (τ = .475), C-telopeptide (τ = .540), urine calcium/creatinine ratio (τ = .620), and osteocalcin (τ = .651), but with lower skeletal muscle mass (τ = −.624; all p < .01). Nearly half of the older adults screened were at risk of sarcopenia, highlighting the need for early identification and preventive strategies. These findings underscore the importance of age and metabolic factors in sarcopenia risk, as well as the need for routine monitoring of bone turnover biomarkers in aging populations.