Several studies have attempted to define the diagnostic criteria of the geriatric syndrome sarcopenia. Studies of sarcopenia prevalence in Turkey are limited; one reason for this is the absence of standard diagnostic reference values. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its influencing factors in the local elderly nursing home residents in accordance with the EWGSOP consensus report.

The study included a total of 211 nursing home residents. Anthropometric measurements, muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance were examined. Muscle mass of the nursing home residents was compared to an 18–45-year-old healthy control group. Descriptive values for numerical variables are given as mean, standard deviation; categorical variables are shown as frequency and percentage.

A total of 211 nursing home residents were included in the study. The average age was 77.30±7.20; the participants were 58.8% women and 37.4% young-old. The prevalence of sarcopenia in Turkish nursing home residents was found to be 33.6%. Among sarcopenic participants, 32.4% were women and 67.6% were men. In our study, sarcopenia was more prevalent in men, the young-old, and patients with Parkinson's or chronic obstructive lung disease, while sarcopenia was seen less in obese patients. No relationship was found between the Barthel index and sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia prevalence was 33.6% when the diagnostic criteria described by the EWGSOP were used. Sarcopenia prevalence was higher in men and the young-old age groups. Sarcopenia was more frequent in nursing home residents with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition.