Sarcopenia

Abstract

Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive, generalized muscular-skeletal abnormality with accelerated loss of muscle mass and function. It is related to negative health outcomes such as functional impairment, falls, frailty, an increase in healthcare costs, and mortality. The most used definition and diagnostic criteria are those of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP). They propose a probable diagnosis of sarcopenia when diminished muscle strength is detected. Said diagnosis would be confirmed when the presence of low muscle quantity or quality is measured. They define severe sarcopenia as the detection of low muscle strength, low muscle quantity/quality, and low physical performance. The measurement of low muscle mass by means of DXA confirms the diagnosis of sarcopenia (with updated cut-off points of less than 7kg/m2 for men and less than 5.5kg/m2 for women). At present, no specific drug for treating sarcopenia has been approved. As non-pharmacological therapies, strength or resistance exercise has shown moderate quality of evidence and a strong level of recommendation.