Impact of COVID-19 Isolation on Sarcopenia in Older Adults: A Cohort Study from Taiwan

Abstract

Previous studies on sarcopenia and COVID-19 have primarily focused on pathophysiological mechanisms, leaving the effects of social isolation policies largely unexplored. Taiwan offers a unique environment to investigate this issue. This study investigates the association between COVID-19-related isolation and sarcopenia in older adults in Taiwan. Participants aged 65 and older were enrolled from annual geriatric health check-ups conducted between 2018 and 2023. The years from 2018 to 2020 were designated as the pre-COVID-19 period, while 2022–2023 was considered the post-COVID-19 era. Demographic data and health conditions were collected. The assessments encompassed body composition, muscle strength, and physical performance. The prevalence and trends of sarcopenia were analyzed. The prevalence of low muscle strength declined in 2021 but subsequently increased from 2022 to 2023 (p_quadratic = 0.018). In 2023, compared with 2018–2020, the odds ratio for sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia was 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.67), and the odds ratio for low physical performance was 1.73 (95% CI 1.39–2.15). This is the first report describing the association between COVID-19 pandemic-related policies and the prevalence of sarcopenia, revealing a significant increase in sarcopenia prevalence following the pandemic. Our results emphasize the necessity of tailored strategies to support older adults during and after health crises.