MECHANISMS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Sarcopenia in endocrine and non-endocrine disorders

Abstract

Objective This paper reviews the main mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, treatment options and available data on sarcopenia in endocrine and non-endocrine disorders. The literature notes the presence of sarcopenia as a comorbid condition or a complication of another clinical situation and not a disease that only affects elderly patients. Method We performed a literature review, focusing on the following: mechanisms related to sarcopenia in elderly patients, and sarcopenia as it presents in the context of chronic and endocrine diseases; diagnostic tools and methods; aspects of sarcopenia and treatment options specific to chronic diseases and endocrine disorders respectively. Results Sarcopenia in chronic and endocrine disorders shares many mechanisms with sarcopenia affecting elderly patients, but certain diseases can have a predominant aspect that leads to sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia varies, depending on different diagnostic criteria, from around 12 to 60% in chronic illnesses and 15 to 90% in endocrine disorders. The interplay between sarcopenia, chronic diseases and elderly patients requires further study, to clarify the impact of each, in terms of prognosis and mortality. Conclusion Awareness of the presentation of sarcopenia in the context of other diseases and ages (and not just the elderly) is fundamental to ensure that preventive measures can be deployed.

Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index and Physiological Performance in Post-Menopausal Women with Total Thyroidectomy

“…Moreover, poor muscle quality has been associated with hard outcomes such as all-cause mortality and hospitalization [42]. Furthermore, sarcopenia has also been shown to increase the incidence of falls and fractures, metabolic impairment, chemotherapy-related toxicity, depression, and decreasing quality of life [4,43].…”

“…It has attracted increasing attention worldwide as it has been shown to affect both motility and mortality [2]. Many endocrine and metabolic diseases and their interactions have been associated with sarcopenia, including aging, malnutrition, osteoporosis, diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, Cushing syndrome, hypogonadism, and thyroid dysfunction [3,4].…”

Prdx6 Plays a Main Role in the Crosstalk between Aging and Metabolic Sarcopenia

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“…This pathological phenomenon, typical of aging, is defined as sarcopenia, which is represented by an impairment of muscle fibers regenerative power and by an altered differentiation of progenitor cells [3,4]. Sarcopenia, which affects elderly patients, is similar to the ones found in patients with chronic diseases [5]. However, the prevalence of muscle loss varies from around 60% in elderly patients with general chronic diseases to 90% in elderlies with metabolic disorders [5], suggesting a specific interplay between sarcopenia, aging, and metabolism that should be clarified.…”

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