Association between Sarcopenia and Psychiatric Disorders among the Elderly in West Bengal, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Sarcopenia is a significant geriatric syndrome characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, associated with adverse outcomes such as disability and poor quality of life.Emerging evidence suggests a link between sarcopenia and neuropsychiatric disorders mediated by common physiological pathways, including inflammation and hormonal dysregulation.We investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with psychiatric disorders among the elderly in West Bengal.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Midnapore Medical College over 12 months from January 2023 to December 2023, involving 309 geriatric patients.Sarcopenia was evaluated using gait speed and handgrip strength measures, while psychiatric assessment was performed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Mini-Mental State Examination from routine history sheet data.Data were statistically analyzed.Results: Out of 309 participants, 149 (48.22%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia.Around 133 participants (43.04%) had psychiatric disorders, with a notable frequency of dementia (36.57%).The study found a significant association between sarcopenia and psychiatric disorders, with an OR of 4.685 (95% CI: 2.885-7.608,p < 0.001) for any psychiatric disorder and an OR of 5.449 (95% CI: 3.266-9.093,p < 0.001) for dementia.The relationship with milder psychiatric disorders was not statistically significant. Conclusion:The findings suggest a high prevalence of sarcopenia among the elderly in West Bengal, significantly associated with severe psychiatric disorders, particularly dementia.Routine screening for sarcopenia in elderly patients with psychiatric symptoms is recommended to improve management and outcomes.