Abstract
Sarcopenia is a syndrome defined as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes such as falls, fractures, physical disability, and death. The actual definition of sarcopenia is based on a reduction in the values of three parameters: strength, muscle mass quantity or quality, and physical performance (the determinant of severity). Muscle wasting is a common feature in several chronic diseases, such as spondyloarthritis (SpA), and significantly increases patient morbidity and mortality. Although there has been huge progress in this field over recent years, the absence of a clear definition and clear diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia has resulted in inconsistent information regarding muscle-involvement in SpA. Thus, the aim of this review is to collect relevant evidence on muscular changes occurring during the disease process from the published literature, according to the recommended tools for sarcopenia evaluation proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). In addition, data from histological, electromyography, and biochemical muscle analyses of SpA patients are also reviewed. Overall, a reduction in muscle strength with a systemic decrease in lean mass seems to be associated with a gait speed compromise. This information is usually fragmented, with no studies considering the three parameters together. This paper represents a call-to-action for the design of new studies in the future.
Highlights
Sarcopenia is a term that was first used to define age-related skeletal muscle wasting
EWGSOP2 identifies the subcategories of sarcopenia as “primary” or “secondary” and as “acute” or “chronic” [1]
The EWGSOP has reviewed a wide range of tools for measuring specific variables of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance, recommending that they be used for research purposes or in clinical practice [1, 2]
Summary
Sarcopenia is a term that was first used to define age-related skeletal muscle wasting. It is used to describe low muscle strength with the presence of low muscle mass with/without low physical performance whenever the cause is aging, the presence of chronic disease, low protein intake, or physical inactivity [1]. EWGSOP2 identifies the subcategories of sarcopenia as “primary” (age-related) or “secondary” (causal factors other than or in addition to aging are evident) and as “acute” (lasted
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