What is Sarcopenia?
- Progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and physical performance associated with ageing
- Can also be influenced by nutritional status
- Higher prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults3,4
Malnutrition affects people of all ages, but the risk is 30 % greater in people over the age of 65 years.1
One reason: The gap between the amount of nutrition consumed and the amount the body needs.
Please pay attention: There is a close relationship between nutritional status, sarcopenia and frailty2
Watch this introduction video for the SARC-F tool to detect sarcopenia patients
In order to effectively manage sarcopenia, here is an easy step by step guide for screening and assessment adapted from Cruz-Jentoft AJ, et al. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31.
A: Initial screening tool: SARC-F
B: Basic assessment supporting screening
Confirming diagnosis:
DXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and
BIA (Bioelectrical impedance analysis) CT** or
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)
References:
1) McGregor RA, Poppitt SD. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2013;10(1):46.
2) Xu ZR et al. Br J Nutr 2015;113(1):25–34.
3) Bakker OJ et al. Pancreatology 2014;14(5):340–6.
4) National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care, February 2006. Nutrition support in adults Oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition.
5) Stratton RJ et al. Wallingford: CABI Publishing; 2003.
6) Elia M. Malnutrition Action Group of BAPEN and the National Institute for Research Southampton. Biomedical Research Centre; 2015.
7) Osland E et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2011;35(4):473–87.
Confirming severity with:
Gait Speed test
SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery) test
TUG (Timed-up-and-go) test
400 m walk test
Download the complete guide to support and manage your sarcopenia patients here.
Find tips and tricks for physical training in this exercise booklet for your patients. It contains a wide variety of different exercises for strength, balance and flexibility.
Frail older people are at risk of energy deficient diets that may lead to unintentional weight loss
Older people are at risk of protein deficient diets10
Current guidelines recommend intakes of
Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass
Frailty is associated with changes in gait speed. Older people are also at risk of vitamin D deficiency5
References:
1. Russell CA et Elia M. A report by BAPEN. 2011.
2. Bollwein J et al. The journal of nutrition, health & aging. 2013;17:351.
3. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, et al. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31.
4. Beaudart C, et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2017;8(2):238-244.
5. Morley JE et al. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2013;14:392.
6. Clegg A et al. Lancet. 2013;381:752.
7. Milne A et al. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2009:CD003288.
8. Cawood AL et al. Ageing research reviews. 2012;11:278.
9. Hubbard GP et al. Clinical nutrition. 2012;31:293.
10. Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation on Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Human Nutrition. World health organization technical report series. 2007;935:1.
11. Deutz NEP et al. Clinical nutrition. 2014;33:929.
12. Bauer J et al. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2013;14:542.