Factors Affecting the Quality of Life in Low-Income Older Adults with Sarcopenia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing quality of life (QoL) of low-income older adults (LOAs) with sarcopenia.Methods: A convenience sample of 125 older adults was recruited from Jeonbuk Province, South Korea. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire that included nutritional status, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and the World Health Organization Qual-ity of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module. Additionally, grip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass, were evaluated, along with the short physical performance battery.Results: Sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were observed in 43.2% and 56.8% of participants, re-spectively. Using multiple regression analysis, depression (beta = - .40, p < .001), nutritional status (beta = .24, p = .003), and anxiety (beta = - .15, p = .042) were identified as factors affecting the QoL of the older adults in low-income groups with sarcopenia, the explanatory power of these variables was 44%.Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to develop a nursing intervention program and establish poli-cies to improve depression, anxiety, and nutritional status to enhance QoL of LOAs with sarcopenia.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the quality of life of low-income older adults with sarcopenia. Results showed that 43.2% and 56.8% of participants in the low-income group had sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that depression, nutritional status, and anxiety were factors affecting the quality of life of low-income older adults with sarcopenia, with these variables explaining 44% of the variance.