Journal Article•
Health outcomes of sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed a systematic review to assess the short-, middle, and long-term consequences of sarcopenia, which showed a higher rate of mortality among sarcopenic subjects (pooled OR of 3.596 (95% CI 2.96-4.37)).
Abstract: Objective The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review to assess the short-, middle- and long-term consequences of sarcopenia. Methods Prospective studies assessing the consequences of sarcopenia were searched across different electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM Reviews, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBM Reviews ACP Journal Club, EBM Reviews DARE and AMED). Only studies that used the definition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People to diagnose sarcopenia were included. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. For outcomes reported by three or more studies, a meta-analysis was performed. The study results are expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI. Results Of the 772 references identified through the database search, 17 were included in this systematic review. The number of participants in the included studies ranged from 99 to 6658, and the duration of follow-up varied from 3 months to 9.8 years. Eleven out of 12 studies assessed the impact of sarcopenia on mortality. The results showed a higher rate of mortality among sarcopenic subjects (pooled OR of 3.596 (95% CI 2.96–4.37)). The effect was higher in people aged 79 years or older compared with younger subjects (p = 0.02). Sarcopenia is also associated with functional decline (pooled OR of 6 studies 3.03 (95% CI 1.80–5.12)), a higher rate of falls (2/2 studies found a significant association) and a higher incidence of hospitalizations (1/1 study). The impact of sarcopenia on the incidence of fractures and the length of hospital stay was less clear (only 1/2 studies showed an association for both outcomes). Conclusion Sarcopenia is associated with several harmful outcomes, making this geriatric syndrome a real public health burden.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: The positive association between sarcopenia with falls and fractures in older adults strengthens the need to invest in sarc Openia prevention and interventions to evaluate its effect on falls and fracture.
Abstract: Sarcopenia is a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls and fractures in older adults, but the strength of the association between sarcopenia, falls, and fractures is unclear. This study aims to systematically assess the literature and perform a meta-analysis of the association between sarcopenia with falls and fractures among older adults. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL from inception to May 2018. Inclusion criteria were the following: published in English, mean/median age ≥ 65 years, sarcopenia diagnosis (based on definitions used by the original studies' authors), falls and/or fractures outcomes, and any study population. Pooled analyses were conducted of the associations of sarcopenia with falls and fractures, expressed in odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed by study design, population, sex, sarcopenia definition, continent, and study quality. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics. The search identified 2771 studies. Thirty-six studies (52 838 individuals, 48.8% females, and mean age of the study populations ranging from 65.0 to 86.7 years) were included in the systematic review. Four studies reported on both falls and fractures. Ten out of 22 studies reported a significantly higher risk of falls in sarcopenic compared with non-sarcopenic individuals; 11 out of 19 studies showed a significant positive association with fractures. Thirty-three studies (45 926 individuals) were included in the meta-analysis. Sarcopenic individuals had a significant higher risk of falls (cross-sectional studies: OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.37-1.86, P < 0.001, I2 = 34%; prospective studies: OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.33-2.68, P < 0.001, I2 = 37%) and fractures (cross-sectional studies: OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.30-2.62, P = 0.001, I2 = 91%; prospective studies: OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.44-2.03, P = 0.011, I2 = 0%) compared with non-sarcopenic individuals. This was independent of study design, population, sex, sarcopenia definition, continent, and study quality. The positive association between sarcopenia with falls and fractures in older adults strengthens the need to invest in sarcopenia prevention and interventions to evaluate its effect on falls and fractures.
421 citations
Brigham and Women's Hospital1, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center2, University of Florida3, California Pacific Medical Center4, United States Department of Agriculture5, University of Maryland, Baltimore6, University of Pittsburgh7, University of Southampton8, Ohio University9, The Catholic University of America10, Public Health Research Institute11, Novartis12, The Chinese University of Hong Kong13, University of Alberta14, Washington University in St. Louis15, Johns Hopkins University16, National Institutes of Health17, Boston University18, Georgia Southern University19
TL;DR: The Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium crafted a set of position statements informed by a literature review and SDOC's analyses of eight epidemiologic studies, six randomized clinical trials, four cohort studies of special populations, and two nationally representative population‐based studies.
Abstract: Objectives To develop an evidence-based definition of sarcopenia that can facilitate identification of older adults at risk for clinically relevant outcomes (eg, self-reported mobility limitation, falls, fractures, and mortality), the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) crafted a set of position statements informed by a literature review and SDOC's analyses of eight epidemiologic studies, six randomized clinical trials, four cohort studies of special populations, and two nationally representative population-based studies. Methods Thirteen position statements related to the putative components of a sarcopenia definition, informed by the SDOC analyses and literature synthesis, were reviewed by an independent international expert panel (panel) iteratively and voted on by the panel during the Sarcopenia Position Statement Conference. Four position statements related to grip strength, three to lean mass derived from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and four to gait speed; two were summary statements. Results The SDOC analyses identified grip strength, either absolute or scaled to measures of body size, as an important discriminator of slowness. Both low grip strength and low usual gait speed independently predicted falls, self-reported mobility limitation, hip fractures, and mortality in community-dwelling older adults. Lean mass measured by DXA was not associated with incident adverse health-related outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with or without adjustment for body size. Conclusion The panel agreed that both weakness defined by low grip strength and slowness defined by low usual gait speed should be included in the definition of sarcopenia. These position statements offer a rational basis for an evidence-based definition of sarcopenia. The analyses that informed these position statements are summarized in this article and discussed in accompanying articles in this issue of the journal. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1410-1418, 2020.
270 citations
TL;DR: Even if there is no evidence of a distinct gut microbiota composition in older sarcopenic patients, the literature supports the possible presence of a “gut–muscle axis”, whereby gut microbiota may act as the mediation of the effects of nutrition on muscle cells.
Abstract: Inadequate nutrition and physical inactivity are the mainstays of primary sarcopenia–physiopathology in older individuals. Gut microbiota composition is strongly dependent on both of these elements, and conversely, can also influence the host physiology by modulating systemic inflammation, anabolism, insulin sensitivity, and energy production. The bacterial metabolism of nutrients theoretically influences skeletal muscle cell functionality through producing mediators that drive all of these systemic effects. In this study, we review the scientific literature supporting the concept of the involvement of gut microbiota in primary sarcopenia physiopathology. First, we examine studies associating fecal microbiota alterations with physical frailty, i.e., the loss of muscle performance and normal muscle mass. Then, we consider studies exploring the effects of exercise on gut microbiota composition. Finally, we examine studies demonstrating the possible effects of mediators produced by gut microbiota on skeletal muscle, and intervention studies considering the effects of prebiotic or probiotic administration on muscle function. Even if there is no evidence of a distinct gut microbiota composition in older sarcopenic patients, we conclude that the literature supports the possible presence of a “gut–muscle axis”, whereby gut microbiota may act as the mediator of the effects of nutrition on muscle cells.
216 citations
TL;DR: Sarcopenia is a predictor of all-cause mortality among community-dwelling older people and it is important to diagnose sarcopenia and to intervene, in order to reduce mortality rates in the elderly.
195 citations
TL;DR: Because sarcopenia is associated with important adverse health outcomes, such as frailty, hospitalization, and mortality, several therapeutic strategies have been identified that involve exercise training, nutritional supplementation, hormonal therapies, and novel strategies and are still under investigation.
Abstract: Life expectancy is increasing worldwide, with a resultant increase in the elderly population. Aging is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength - a phenomenon called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia has a complex multifactorial pathogenesis, which involves not only age-related changes in neuromuscular function, muscle protein turnover, and hormone levels and sensitivity, but also a chronic pro-inflammatory state, oxidative stress, and behavioral factors - in particular, nutritional status and degree of physical activity. According to the operational definition by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), the diagnosis of sarcopenia requires the presence of both low muscle mass and low muscle function, which can be defined by low muscle strength or low physical performance. Moreover, biomarkers of sarcopenia have been identified for its early detection and for a detailed identification of the main pathophysiological mechanisms involved in its development. Because sarcopenia is associated with important adverse health outcomes, such as frailty, hospitalization, and mortality, several therapeutic strategies have been identified that involve exercise training, nutritional supplementation, hormonal therapies, and novel strategies and are still under investigation. At the present time, only physical exercise has showed a positive effect in managing and preventing sarcopenia and its adverse health outcomes. Thus, further well-designed and well-conducted studies on sarcopenia are needed.
186 citations
References
More filters
TL;DR: Some of the first estimates of the extent of the public health problem posed by sarcopenia are provided, independent of ethnicity, age, morbidity, obesity, income, and health behaviors.
Abstract: Muscle mass decreases with age, leading to "sarcopenia," or low relative muscle mass, in elderly people. Sarcopenia is believed to be associated with metabolic, physiologic, and functional impairments and disability. Methods of estimating the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associated risks in elderly populations are lacking. Data from a population-based survey of 883 elderly Hispanic and non-Hispanic white men and women living in New Mexico (the New Mexico Elder Health Survey, 1993-1995) were analyzed to develop a method for estimating the prevalence of sarcopenia. An anthropometric equation for predicting appendicular skeletal muscle mass was developed from a random subsample (n = 199) of participants and was extended to the total sample. Sarcopenia was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (kg)/height2 (m2) being less than two standard deviations below the mean of a young reference group. Prevalences increased from 13-24% in persons under 70 years of age to >50% in persons over 80 years of age, and were slightly greater in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with self-reported physical disability in both men and women, independent of ethnicity, age, morbidity, obesity, income, and health behaviors. This study provides some of the first estimates of the extent of the public health problem posed by sarcopenia.
3,478 citations
Taipei Veterans General Hospital1, The Chinese University of Hong Kong2, Mahidol University3, University of Malaya4, South Korean Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs5, Ajou University6, Khon Kaen University7, Kyung Hee University8, National Cheng Kung University9, Chinese Ministry of Health10, Kyoto University11, University of Tokyo12
TL;DR: The AWGS consensus report is believed to promote more Asian sarcopenia research, and most important of all, to focus on sarc Openia intervention studies and the implementation of sarcopenian in clinical practice to improve health care outcomes of older people in the communities and the healthcare settings in Asia.
2,976 citations
United States Department of Agriculture1, French Institute of Health and Medical Research2, Research Triangle Park3, Boston University4, Saint Louis University5, University of Pittsburgh6, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg7, Nestlé8, Uppsala University9, Merck & Co.10, Sapienza University of Rome11, National Institutes of Health12, Novartis13, University of Verona14
TL;DR: Sarcopenia should be considered in all older patients who present with observed declines in physical function, strength, or overall health, and patients who meet these criteria should further undergo body composition assessment using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry with sarcopenia being defined using currently validated definitions.
2,378 citations
TL;DR: Sarcopenia as mentioned in this paper is a Greek word that describes important changes in body composition and related functions, which can be used to classify patients and examine underlying pathogenic mechanisms and will allow funding agencies to appropriately target research funds to a taxonomically distinct syndrome.
Abstract: This presentation reflects on the origins of the term sarcopenia. The Greek roots of the word are sarx for flesh and penia for loss. The term actually describes important changes in body composition and related functions. Clearly defining sarcopenia will allow investigators to appropriately classify patients and examine underlying pathogenic mechanisms and will allow funding agencies to appropriately target research funds to a taxonomically distinct syndrome.
1,645 citations
University of Pittsburgh1, California Pacific Medical Center2, University of Maryland, Baltimore3, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center4, National Institutes of Health5, University of Central Florida6, University of Connecticut Health Center7, Wake Forest University8, Columbia University9, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health10
TL;DR: Based on the analyses presented in this series, the final recommended cutpoints for weakness are grip strength <26kg for men and <16kg for women, and for low lean mass, appendicular lean mass adjusted for body mass index <0.789 forMen and women.
Abstract: Background.
Low muscle mass and weakness are common and potentially disabling in older adults, but in order to become recognized as a clinical condition, criteria for diagnosis should be based on clinically relevant thresholds and independently validated. The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium Sarcopenia Project used an evidence-based approach to develop these criteria. Initial findings were presented at a conference in May 2012, which generated recommendations that guided additional analyses to determine final recommended criteria. Details of the Project and its findings are presented in four accompanying manuscripts.
1,542 citations