Sarcopenia – risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria

Abstract

Sarcopenia is an age-unrelated muscle illness whose main determinant is a decrease in muscle mass, making it a serious threat to the functionality of elderly persons. There are many aspects of the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. It covers the following issues that progress with age: a decrease in neuromuscular function that progresses with age, hormonal deregulation resulting from physiological changes, vitamin D3 deficiency, reduced physical activity (idleness, sedentary lifestyle, immobilisation), inflammatory processes resulting from multiple morbidities and protein malnutrition. Knowledge of this illness makes it possible to introduce early-stage treatment to slow down its progression and reduce possible complications. Remaining functional at an elderly age is a challenge for both patients and their doctors. The aim of this work is to present the F-A-C-S pathway (Find–Assess–Confirm–Severity) used to detect, diagnose, confirm and determine the severity of progression of sarcopenia. The pathway was developed to facilitate the diagnosis at an early stage. The role of a general practitioner is to identify early symptoms of the illness and perform preliminary diagnosis. It is also important to introduce prophylactic activities to prevent disease progression, recommend additional consultations with specialists, and introduce long-term care. Due to the limited possibilities of pharmacological treatment, the main emphasis is put on patient education and non-pharmacological approaches to prevention.