Sarcopenia: Clinical evaluation, biological markers and other evaluation tools

Abstract

Sarcopenia is characterized by a lower skeletal muscle quantity, higher fat accumulation in the muscle, lower muscle strength, and lower physical performance. The most commonly used, low cost and accessible methods to assess skeletal muscle mass include dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) and creatinine excretion are the most specific golden standards for assessing muscle mass or cross sectional muscle area. Other available measures include peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT), ultrasound and neutron activation. Skeletal muscle strength is another important component for the assessment of sarcopenia and muscle quality. Several methods are available for the measurement of muscle strength which include simple dynamometers to measure isometric strength and the most complex isokinetic strength measures of power and torque. Standardized physical performance measures complement the measures of muscle mass for the assessment of sarcopenia. A clinical definition of sarcopenia ought to use methods of assessment that are valid, reliable, specific to skeletal muscle, predictive of future health events, non-invasive, practical, low cost and widely accessible.

Presarcopenia and its Impact on Disability in Female Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…5,6,14 Although sarcopenia is primarily a disease of the elderly, it is known that decreased muscle mass may be associated with several conditions other than the aging process, and can also be seen in younger patients, such as those with inflammatory diseases. 10 In the present study, the SMI of the patients with RA was found to be lower than the controls regardless of the ages of the participants. Thus, lower lean muscle mass may be associated with disease itself rather than age profile.…”

“…It has been reported that it provides valid estimates of appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and skeletal muscle measures with DXA are associated with prevalent and incident physical disability. 10 To define presarcopenia, it is necessary to have a measure of relative muscle mass. Various options to define subnormal values for muscle mass designation have been suggested.…”

Longitudinal CT study of sarcopenia due to hepatic failure after living donor liver transplantation

“…Changes in the size of trunk muscle are thought to best reflect log-term chronic illness and systemic health (3,13,15).…”

Clinical definition and diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia

“…Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple method that has also been used despite its lack of accuracy. While imaging diagnostic modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) allow for accurate measurements of muscle mass, these methods are cost prohibitive [56][57][58] .…”

“…The relationship between biomarkers and sarcopenia has been reported 57,58,62) , and the usefulness of measuring several biomarker candidates, including inflammatory biomarkers, clinical parameters, hormones, and products of oxidative damage, has been studied. Biomarkers that can be obtained from blood and urine may be beneficial, as there is little burden on the patient.…”