Occult Advanced Gastric Cancer Revealed by Intraosseous Mandibular Metastasis: A Case Report.

The global population aging shifts the focus of discussion from lifespan to quality of life. Healthy Life Expectancy indicates that a portion of the additional years gained may be lived with health limitations, reinforcing the importance of maintaining functional capacity. For example, sarcopenia is one of the main conditions associated with functional decline in aging. Sarcopenia is a progressive disorder characterized by the loss of muscle mass and strength, which are associated with an increased risk of falls, disability, and mortality. In this context, strategies that promote autonomy and reduce the duration of life lived with disability across the lifespan are urgently needed. Therefore, muscle strength is a key determinant of functional capacity, supporting mobility, balance, and self-care. Muscle strength decline is linked to poorer performance in activities of daily living and an increased risk of adverse events. Within this framework, lower limb strength (LLS) is particularly relevant, as it directly reflects the demands of locomotion, such as walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and is associated with a higher risk of falls when reduced. From a psychosocial perspective, lower levels of muscle strength have been associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adult and older populations. This relationship is possibly mediated by a cycle of disuse, involving difficulties with basic tasks, social isolation, and reduced self-esteem. However, a gap remains in the literature as most studies use handgrip strength as a marker of overall muscle strength, and, therefore, neglecting the specific role of LLS. Recent evidence, however, suggests that LLS may show a stronger association with psychological outcomes. In adjusted analyses, knee extension strength has demonstrated a more robust relationship with depressive symptoms, as it more directly reflects locomotor capacity and social participation in older adulthood. Therefore, it is crucial to develop guiding strategies to promote mental health and functional capacity in older adulthood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between LLS and the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults.