Authors: (including presenting author): :
IP WCT (1), SHEA YF (1), AU SM (1), YUNG PH (1), KOO KF (1), NG YKR (2), HO KK (3), TANG KY (4), CHOW TK (5), CHIU KC (1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Geriatric Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital (2) Department of Physiotherapy, Grantham Hospital (3) Department of Occupational Therapy, Grantham Hospital (4) Department of Dietetics, Grantham Hospital (5) Department of Speech Therapy, Grantham Hospital
Keyword 2: :
Multidisciplinary care
Keyword 4: :
Rehabilitation
Introduction: :
Sarcopenia, characterized by age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is highly prevalent among older patients. It is associated with adverse outcomes, including accelerated functional decline and reduced independence.
Objectives: :
A structured sarcopenia program was developed to identify sarcopenic patients, improve functional outcomes, and prevent complications through multidisciplinary and multidomain interventions.
Methodology: :
The structured sarcopenia program was conducted in the Geriatric Medical Unit at Grantham Hospital. Patients aged 65 years or older who were admitted for falls between March and September 2025 were recruited. Patients were assessed by nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and speech therapists within 48 hours of admission. Clinical and functional indices were obtained. Patients were evaluated for the need for a high-protein diet and vitamin D prescription. Functional status was reassessed before discharge. Readmissions to the hospital due to falls within 3 months after discharge were retrieved from the hospital Clinical Management System. Definition of sarcopenia was based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2025 guideline.
Result & Outcome: :
A total of 55 patients were included. The mean age was 85 years. 27 patients (49%) were female. 32 patients (58%) were classified as having sarcopenia. Significant functional improvements were observed on discharge. Handgrip strength increased by 0.90 kg (6.6%; p=0.002), Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) by 1.36 points (16.0%; p=0.003), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) by 3.02 points (16.0%; p=0.001), Modified Barthel Index (MBI) by 4.25 points (7.0%; p=0.011), and walking speed by 0.05 m/s (8.3%; p=0.022). Improvement in SARC-F (−2.2%; p=0.239) and Lawton scale (3.5%; p=0.179) were not statistically significant. One patient transitioned from sarcopenia to non-sarcopenia. Four patients (7.2%) experienced falls and were re-admitted within 3 months after discharge. Our program demonstrated that clinically and statistically significant gains were observed in muscle and mobility function together with functional independence among older patients, supporting the effectiveness of a structured sarcopenia program delivered during hospitalization to improve functional outcomes and potentially reverse sarcopenia. In our study, only 7.2% of patients experienced a fall within three months after discharge. This fall rate is lower than the reported 3-month post-discharge fall rate (19%) in the literature. The effectiveness of structured sarcopenia programs may extend to patients hospitalized for other medical conditions, thereby helping to prevent post-discharge falls and promote overall functional improvement. In summary, a structured sarcopenia program delivered during hospitalization significantly improved muscle function and independence and reduced the post-discharge fall rate in older patients.
