Relationship between polypharmacy, sarcopenia and drug classes in hospitalized older patients.

Cross-sectionalAging clinical and experimental research· Jul 2026

Relationship between polypharmacy, sarcopenia and drug classes in hospitalized older patients.

Gorkem Turhan, Ahmet Yalcin, Busra Gokce … Murat Varli

Read paper

GeriatricsCross-sectionalQ1IF 4.3

Angiotensin receptor blocker use is independently associated with lower odds of sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults.

Relationship between polypharmacy, sarcopenia and drug classes in hospitalized older patients.

Gorkem Turhan … Murat Varli

Aging clinical and experimental research · Jul 2026

Background

Sarcopenia and polypharmacy are common geriatric syndromes associated with adverse outcomes in older adults.

Purpose

To examine whether polypharmacy is independently associated with sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults and to evaluate the relationship between specific medication classes and sarcopenia prevalence.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included hospitalized patients aged ≥ 65 years.

n = 206 patients

Results

Angiotensin receptor blocker users were more likely to be free of sarcopenia

ARB use (non-sarcopeni

40%

ARB use (sarcopenic)

15%

More results

The prevalence of sarcopenia was 39.8%.

In multivariate analysis, angiotensin receptor blocker use remained independently associated with lower odds of sarcopenia.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Polypharmacy was not independently associated with sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

However, angiotensin receptor blocker use was significantly associated with lower likelihood of sarcopenia, suggesting a potential muscle-protective effect. Further longitudinal research is warranted to clarify causality.

Relationship between polypharmacy, sarcopenia and drug classes in hospitalized older patients.

Relationship between polypharmacy, sarcopenia and drug classes in hospitalized older patients.

Related papers