Background Elderly populations e growing in the majority of Countries in the World. Portugal in currently among the 5 most aged counties with 23,4% of it´s population over 65 and an ageing index of 182^[1]. Osteoarthritis is the 3^rd cause of responsible for severe disability in adults over 60 years in developed and developing countries^[2]. Lack of data at a national or regional level in Portugal compromises the ability to prepare for both health and care need of aged population. Simultaneously the region of Algarve has particular geographic characteristics with 49% of the population living within 2 km from the cost (in 9% of the Algarve’s Territory).

Objectives Are aim was to study our regional population, namely the incidence of Osteoarthritis (OA) and the relation of function ability with OA, Sarcopenia and Body composition.

Methods This study is a prospective, observational secondary analysis of data from the “Sarcopenia Screening Study in the Algarve Region”. Subject were recruited through informative flyers that was distributed at Elderly Associations, Senior Universities,… in different areas of the region of Algarve. Subsequently, by appointment, the evaluations were performed. Until June 2022 a total of 270 participants have voluntarily participated. Subjects over 60 were eligible for the study. All gave their informed consent to participate.

Clinical diagnose of OA was established according to the NICE Guidelines for knee osteoarthritis diagnose^[3]. Functional ability was measures with the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)^[4], sarcopenia was measures with the SARC-F Questionnaire^[5], body composition was evaluated by Medical Body Composition SECA^® mBCA515. Data was treated with IBM-SPSS-Statistics version 26.

Results Of the 270 subjects analyzed for this secondary analyze 75,2% were female (24,8% male), mean age in years 75,39 ± 6,75 (60-93). 70,5% had Knee OA. Statistical differences was found between groups (with and without OA), in LEFS (p<0,001), SARC-F (p<0,001), percentage of fat free mass (p<0,001). A multiple linear regression was carried out to see if having OA, Sarcopenia and percentage of fat free mass can predict LEFS, once all were significantly different within groups, creating a statistically significant model [Z(3,233)=155,957; p<0,001:R²=0,668] were with having OA (ß=-0,121;t= -271;p=0,003), Sarcopenia (ß=-0,694;t= -16,258;p<0,001), and low muscular mass (ß=0,146;t=3,468;p<0,001), can significantly predict diminished lower extremity function.

Conclusion Looking for the presence of OA, Sarcopenia and low percentage of fat free mass is important when monitoring elderly subjects over time once they can predict the decrease in functional ability.

References [1]CENSOS 2021 – DIVULGAÇÃO DOS RESULTADOS PROVISÓRIOS. Instituto Nacional de Estatistica. 16 dezembro de 2021.

[2]World Health Organization & World Bank. (2011). World report on disability 2011. World Health Organization

[3]Nice guideline(NG226) Osteoarthtiris in over 16s:diagnosis and management. Publised 19 octuber 2022.

[4]Binkley JM, Stratford PW, Lott SA, Riddle DL. The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS): scale development, measurement properties, and clinical application. North American Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Research Network. Phys Ther. 1999 Apr;79(4):371-83.

[5]Malmstrom TK, Morley JE. SARC-F: a simple questionnaire to rapidly diagnose sarcopenia. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013 Aug;14(8):531-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.05.018. Epub 2013 Jun 25. PMID: 23810110.

Acknowledgements: NIL.

Disclosure of Interests None Declared.