Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis

Abstract

Background In 2010, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) published a sarcopenia definition that aimed to foster advances in identifying and caring for people with sarcopenia. In early 2018, the Working Group met again (EWGSOP2) to update the original definition in order to reflect scientific and clinical evidence that has built over the last decade. This paper presents our updated findings. Objectives To increase consistency of research design, clinical diagnoses, and ultimately, care for people with sarcopenia. Recommendations Sarcopenia is a muscle disease (muscle failure) rooted in adverse muscle changes that accrue across a lifetime; sarcopenia is common among adults of older age but can also occur earlier in life. In this updated consensus paper on sarcopenia, EWGSOP2: (1) focuses on low muscle strength as a key characteristic of sarcopenia, uses detection of low muscle quantity and quality to confirm the sarcopenia diagnosis, and identifies poor physical performance as indicative of severe sarcopenia; (2) updates the clinical algorithm that can be used for sarcopenia case-finding, diagnosis and confirmation, and severity determination, and (3) provides clear cut-off points for measurements of variables that identify and characterize sarcopenia. Conclusions EWGSOP2’s updated recommendations aim to increase awareness of sarcopenia and its risk. With these new recommendations, EWGSOP2 calls for healthcare professionals who treat patients at risk for sarcopenia to take actions that will promote early detection and treatment. We also encourage more research in the field of sarcopenia in order to prevent or delay adverse health outcomes that incur a heavy burden for patients and healthcare systems.

Differences in physical function by body mass index in elderly Japanese individuals: The Fujiwara-kyo Study

“…Although gait speed is related to skeletal muscle mass as a predictor of sarcopenia [34], the present study found no significant differences between the BMI groups in 10MGT for men, despite significant differences in muscle strength. In the present study, 10MGT was measured at maximum speed.…”

Sarcopenic obesity predicts nonremission of late‐life depression

“…Recently, it has been hypothesized that contracting skeletal muscles contribute to brain preservation by the secretion of neurotrophic factors. 49 The EWGSOP2 considers low muscle strength as a key characteristic of sarcopenia, considering the age-related changes of skeletal muscle and availability of measurements in various settings. Since skeletal muscle has a role in metabolic processes, sarcopenia could also adversely affect mental function via metabolic and endocrine mechanisms.…”

Timing of Dysphagia Screening in Alzheimer's Dementia

“…Diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on definitions from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) in 2018 . According to these criteria, probable sarcopenia was defined as low muscle strength.…”

“…The maximum grip strength was recorded. The cutoff thresholds for handgrip strength were accepted against sex as recommended (27 kg for males and 16 kg for females) …”